Character Analysis: Escape From Spiderhead

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Many people often have to fight for their freedom and rights, however some succeed to achieve them and some fail to get their freedom and rights. Though, many people try hard to get their freedom and end up hurting themselves when they fails immensely. Similarly, in the story, “Escape from Spiderhead” by George Saunders a protagonist named Jeff who is talking to a person named Abnesti. Soon, there is some sort of an experiment taking place which involves Abnesti ordering and also asking questions to Jeff. This experiment also includes Abnesti adding Verbaluce to his drip, which apparently controls and configures Jeff’s emotions and feelings. As the story continues Abnesti runs the place by experimenting on many different people who all have …show more content…

As a human, Jeff should be entitled to make his own decision and should be given the freedom to know what is happening with him. However, Abnesti has snatched away the freedom and rights that each person is entitled to. At the end, Abnesti tricks, Jeff and gives him the drugs called “Docilryde™,” “Fuck it, enough,” Abnesti said. “Verlaine, what’s the name of that one?” (Saunders, 27). When Jeff refuses to obey Abnesti’s orders, Abnesti gives him the drugs so that Jeff will agree to do as Abnesti tells him to do. However, this action of Abnesti was completely wrong because Jeff was given drugs against his consent. On the other hand, Jeff feels that it is unfair to him because, “It was like all I had to do to be a killer again was sit there and wait” (Saunders, 28). Jeff was forced to do something which got him into a prison at first. Hazel Rose Markus shows that “People are understood to be independent individuals who are or at least should try to be free from the constraints of history, other people, and society. According to this way of thinking, each individual has her own private set of preferences, motives, attitudes, abilities, and goals.” Markus shows that each individual has right to think and can have his/her own ways to lead their lives. However, that is not the case with Jeff, in fact, it is completely different because Jeff is being pressurized and controlled by Abnesti. He is given drugs to think the way Abnesti wants. Taking away the freedom is still not the most suitable punishment; he is tested upon under the influence of drugs and it is certain that a man is not himself when is under such influence. One of such drug or a state is called Darkenfloxx, which causes the worst levels of animosity. Jeff was under such a pressure and distress

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