The Charmer by Budge Wilson - 1555 Words

The Charmer by Budge Wilson is a short story about a Canadian family that finds misfortune and conflict within their lives. Conflict being the predominant theme which directly affects all the participants in the family. The story is written in third person and narrated from the young girl Winifreds point of view. Budge Wilson uses Zacks smothered childhood, charming personality and irresponsible behaviour to create emotional conflict between members of the family. Growing up as a happy and popular young man, Zack creates himself a perfect reputation which left room for love and smothering from his mother and two sisters. His mother and sisters love him very much and show this love by being at his every beckoning. Winifred is no†¦show more content†¦Forgive me, duchess. [And] Thank you, my angel. Shed put her head on one side with that adoring look of hers, and say, Be off with you! Youre a real devil! (Wilson, 102). His creative use of words and constant flattery could fool his family into forgiveness. This method of getting peoples gratitude did not last forever as eventually his era came to an end when his loved ones learnt to see past his charm. His constant apologies are another form of his charm. Zack delivered apologies that would have bought tears to a preachers eyes. (Wilson, 103). This caption shows he is able to continue to get away with whatever he wanted. His younger sister is the first to see through Zacks falseness and it is shown by the line: The kind of dramatic repentance has a lot more clout than simple, everyday good behaviour, and he really knew how to bring it off. (Wilson, 103). The extract shows Winnifreds honest opinion of Zack and how he uses his charm to get along in life keeping everybody happy, whilst continuing to misbehave. The charm brings happiness to the house but after Zack begins to exploit his skill the conflict starts up and so did his irresponsibil ity. Zacks ability to block out others to get what he wants becomes very obvious later on in the short story. It becomes apparent through the form of lack of consideration towards his loves ones. He does what he wants at the time and does not consider others. It is first noticed when he becomesShow MoreRelatedThe Charmer By Budge Wilson858 Words   |  4 PagesArgument Paragraph - The Charmer Thesis: In the short stories The Charmer, Love Must Not Be Forgotten, and The Address, one’s past experiences have a profound effect on their development as an individual. In the short story The Charmer by Budge Wilson, Zachary’s past experiences have a profound effect on their development as an individual. As a child, Zach was never punished for his bad behaviour and because of this, he is unable to maintain a relationship with his family. This story is narratedRead MoreCompare/Contrast Essay: Brother Dear and The Charmer1996 Words   |  8 PagesCompare/Contrast Essay The Canadian short stories â€Å"Brother Dear† by Bernice Friesen and â€Å"The Charmer† written by Budge Wilson focus on the struggles and common conflicts between parents and their children during adolescence. Both stories are told in the younger sister’s point of view and show how everyone matures and gains independence throughout and at the end of the story. Friesen and Wilson’s short stories over all focus mainly on the theme of dysfunctional families; which can be representedRead MoreComparison Essay975 Words   |  4 Pagestell her father. When all of a sudden her brother comes home for a visit and tells her father that he is dropping out of school. The second short story â€Å"The Charmer† written by Budge Wilson is about a charming young boy who can charm his way through, Winnifred, his little sister claims he is â€Å"Enchanted†. He has grown up to be the same old charmer with expectations from his family and most certainly his fa ther. Parental expectations always follow the eldest sibling; it’s the person who chooses whetherRead MoreWhat Is The Charmer Short Story802 Words   |  4 Pagesâ€Å"The right thing to do and the hard thing to do are usually the same.† This is very much the case in Budge Wilsons short story, â€Å"The Charmer†, in which a whole family is not doing the right thing by not telling their oldest child, Zachary that he is doing wrong.The whole family is charmed by Zachary which makes it hard for them to confront him about his actions.Through â€Å"The Charmer,† Budge Wilson develops, the idea that individuals can neglect their responsibilities by ignoring wrongdoings displayed