On The Sidewalk Bleeding Identity

One of the biggest fears in today's world is the fear of not fitting into society. In Evan Hunter's story “On the Sidewalk Bleeding,” the theme of the importance of personal identity is explored. This will be shown through an analysis of how external reality plays a critical role in defining who we are, how personal identity is a crucial aspect of how we grow and the fact that no matter how hard you try, you can never erase the troubles of your past.

One aspect of identity that is evident in Hunter's story is how external reality plays a critical role in defining who we are. While we might wish to be many things internally and subjectively, external reality plays a critical role in who we are and how we are perceived. Andy describes how “he

As Andy comes closer to his death-bed he begins to wonder why “the purple jacket had always seemed so important to him before.” (Hunter 42) He realizes that what gave him a sense of importance and pride was never the jacket but by being himself. As Andy discovers that he is stabbed because of the jacket he slowly understands that “there was no pride at all”(Hunter 41) left in being a Royal. This allowed him to understand that all he ever wanted to be was Andy. Towards the end, of the story, Andy decides to take off his jacket. This shows his desperate struggle of wanting to be himself instead of a Royal. Personal identity is an important aspect of this story as Andy explores himself as a person and is able to grow from the actions he takes within the

When Andy joins a gang he sells himself away to become a part of a group, just another number. Andy joins a gang and his life is drastically changed by the choice. Evan Hunter goes over the contemplation that one has when they know that they have nothing left. Andy comes to realize that he is not dying because someone hated him, he was dying because someone hated what he was wearing, “The knife hated only the purple jacket.” (Hunter 41). Andy realizes that without the jacket he would be a very different person in the alleyway.

When Andy perceives that he is going to die he makes a desperate struggle to remove his gang jacket. When he is found a cop instantly identifies him as “A Royal” despite his dying efforts. At the end of the day, Andy was nothing more than a Royal. The officer's statement examines that Andy’s death was all up to Andy. He chose the wrong path and his choice resulted in his death. The story focuses on choice and the expectations that are resulted when the wrong path is