The Theme Of Violence In Acid And Bullet In The Brain

A common theme in literature many authors tend to use is violence because it appeals to society in a Hollywood fashion. The two short stories Acid by James Kelman and Bullet in the Brain by Tobias Wolff share the common theme of violence. Acid is a look at the sudden death of a boy at the hands of his father. Rather than attempting to save the boy, he is pushed below the surface of acid. Bullet in the Brain demonstrates the sudden tragic events that occur on a day to day basis in human life. Wolff demonstrates the concept of thought and memory before it is too late. The gunman does not hold any thought to what Anders’, the main character, life is like and with out any sympathy shoots him during a bank robbery. The representation and function

of violence in these two short stories is a look at the reality that death may strike any human being at any given time because humans are inherently evil. Through point of view and symbolism, Kelman and Wolff highlight how death creeps up on anyone when they may least expect it.
Representation is the way an object or event is being represented through a plot or a sequence of events. Function is the purpose of a concept towards an action, place, or person. Acid by James Kelman is about an incident in a chemical factory which ultimately leads to the death of a worker. Hughie slips through an unsafe gangway and
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shouts for help.

There is nothing to do to save him, and he is pushed below the surface of the Acid resulting in the ending of his life. Bullet in the Brain is similar in that it is gory and a situation no one would want to be put in. Although it is a life or death situation, Anders does not see it like that. Instead, he bursts out laughing when challenged by the masked man. His inability to follow instructions from the gunman and remain silent ultimately costs him his life as he is shot in the head. Wolff presents the unexpectedness of life through Anders. Wolff begins to list several events in which Anders does not recall as the bullet is traveling through his head. Anders does not recall his first lover Sherry, or does not Anders’ inability to remember several events throughout his life as the bullet travels through his heads functions as a reminder to the audience that humans do not hold remorse and may take everything you’ve known without

thought.
Point of view is the way an author presents the story to the audience. It also refers to the perspective of the story seen through a certain characters eyes. In Bullet in the Brain, Tobias Wolff tells the story through the perspective of Anders. What stands out most to the audience is the unexpectedness of the entire event of the bank robbery from the point of view of Anders. First of all, the audience is shown Anders’ The bank line so happens to be long when he enters, then one of the tellers closes their window and he is stuck behind two women who annoy him through their loud chatter. There is foreshadowing in this case because the audience can tell how his
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day is going and something may occur as a result.

Then there is the scene where the audience is introduced to the two bank robbers. The bank robbers appear to the audience out of the blue. James Kelman opts to introduce the two bank robbers through the eyes of Anders. Rather than Kelman passively adding the bank robbers into the story, the men appear through Anders’ perspective. Once the bank robbers are brought into the story, Anders’ is facing away. This is seen as Wolff writers: In this case, the audience is presented with the main characters point of view, and that is understanding there is something happening through the actions of others in which Anders is looking at. Anders is ultimately shot after repeated warnings from the gunman to Anders is defenceless and does not threaten the gunman, rather, he only

laughs.
Many authors use symbolism to represent an object or idea to further its understanding amongst the audience. Acid is a short story that demonstrates the struggles of the working class people in England throughout history. Normally, readers associate the working class with those that potentially live in shacks, wear worn out clothing, or do not get the proper food supplies. These people are also associated with minimum wage, poor standards of living and weak family links. It is not a luxuries way of living. Many of the working class people lose lives from the simple concept of poor technology and unsafe work environments. This incident with the boy Hughie symbolizes these living standards. Unsafe gang walkways symbolize the poor living
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standards that he and his father work in. Hughie being pushed below the surface by his own father may also symbolize the inability for the father to provide for the family. In many cases in history, children are sacrificed if the parents can no longer provide for the entire family. The young man’s father made no attempt to save the boy, rather, it seemed he didn’t mind grabbing the pole and ducking him below the surface. The symbolism used by Kelman provides the reader with in-depth knowledge of how life may be for the working class.
In the two short stories, Acid and Bullet in the Brain, violence is a similar occurrence. It is the reality that death may strike any human at any given time. Humans are inherently evil, and often there is no thought put in about the victims life before they are murdered in cold blood. James Kelman highlights the struggles of the working class as a father is forced to bury his son below the surface of acid. Tobias Wolff underlines the importance of remembrance and embracing memories because the end for each person is unknown. Through point of view and symbolism, both Kelman and Wolff highlight violence as a part of human nature. The representation and function of both short stories is an argument for humans being inherently evil.