“I am Andy (Hunter).” The decision to live a life as part of a gang brings one to take pride in wearing garments of clothing as simple as a purple jacket, it also brings about a sense of security and pride as one becomes identified as part of a that group. One does not realize however, they lose their own identity in the association, no longer known as themselves, they are seen only as part of that gang. Is it worth it, to lose one’s identity almost completely, with constant looks over one’s shoulder for potential danger, and in a time of need denied help because of fear of backlash; all because of a purple jacket and its suggestion. All these questions, poured over Andy as he lay in his final minutes on a rain-washed sidewalk, at the end of an alley, where he suffered an open wound gash to his stomach just moments after being confronted by a rival gang. On the Sidewalk Bleeding, brings to light conflicts between man vs. man and man vs. self, a setting that exemplifies the tone of the short story, a theme of identity, and a single piece of symbolism.
On the Sidewalk Bleeding, written by American novelist and screenwriter, Evan Hunter, follows the final moments of a young boy, age sixteen, as he lay on a sidewalk needing medical attention but is denied it on three separate occasions. The narration is construed through Andy’s conscious thoughts, thoughts of how he wanted Laura, his girlfriend, in those final moments, how he wanted to grow old and have kids living in the