Loser By Shaun Bender Analysis

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Salvatore Kerns Mr. Ferris English Period 6 February 22, 2022 (“Loser” Essay) Longing for Connection Throughout modern and past cultures, ‘human connections’ have served as personal bonds or relationships with others in which interests, trust, emotions, and values are exchanged. In the short story “Loser,” a young man, having lost his parents at a young age, discovers his heightened ability to discover the lost belongings of those within his community. Though widely accepted by most, the young man fronts much skepticism regarding his ‘gifts’ as many doubt his obscure abilities. Throughout the passage, the young man’s longing for an understanding of his emotions is made evident, as he is incapable of locating his ‘inner self.’ The young man’s efforts within his community, along with his past experiences with loss, help to demonstrate how actions and background vastly influence one’s ability to generate ‘human connections.’ The young man’s loss of his parents at a young age provides reasoning for his deep feelings of loneliness and self-questioning. In paragraph 37 of the passage, the young man questions, “Where are you? Everything felt blank and quiet. He couldn’t feel a tug. (Bender 37)” This excerpt from the passage reveals the young man’s inability to comprehend his emotions. The young man, …show more content…

For example, paragraph 34 of the short story states, “The young man walked over and asked him about the program he was watching, but Leonard stuck a thumb in his mouth and didn’t respond. (Bender 34)” Leonard, distracted by the program, remained unwilling to converse with the young man, despite all he had previously done for him. This interaction contrasts the differing personalities of Leonard and the young man. Leonard's initial response to his kidnapping presents the influences of one’s prior experiences, comparably shown through the young man's