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Choice In Carl Deuker's 'Runner'

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Doug Cooper once said that“ A major life decision is never a choice rather a realization that the decision has already been made ”. These wise -words mean that every decision that a person makes has already been chosen based on a decision in their past. This is especially true about Chance in the novel “ Runner ” by Carl Deuker. At the end of the novel Chance makes the life-changing decision of enlisting in the army despite opinions of people he knows, such as the Watts family. Although the Watts family will give him financial stability and a family life he has not had, Chance makes the right decision in joining the Army. It allows him to stay true to himself, discover what he wants out of life, and honor his father’s memory. Chance has made …show more content…

“ [It] would give [Chance] a place to live and a chance to earn some money … [as well as] get away from [his] dad, from the boat, from Seattle. ” (Page 169). Also Chance has had to make adult decisions his entire life, from figuring out how the moorage fee will be paid to how food will be put on the table, so going to the army would allow Chance to achieve what he wanted to all along. He “ wanted someone to give him orders, [he] wanted somebody to tell [him] what to do …” (Page 170), going to the army would finally allow Chance to be a child in the sense that he didn’t have to worry about things such as food on the table, a secure place to live. The most important thing about Chance’s decision is that he wants to do it, that when Chance goes to the army, “ [He’s] going for [himself], and [he’s] going for [his] dad too.” (Page 216). Without a doubt, Chance makes the right decision to enlist the army.
In conclusion, Chance made the right decision by choosing to enlist in the army. It is his best option considering his past and circumstances. Enlisting in the army also allows Chance to stay true to himself, as well as fulfill his father 's legacy. It allows him to stay true to himself, discover what he wants out of life, and honor his father’s

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