Summary Of Charles Irrational Desire

Lastly, the significant depiction of madness is demonstrated through the tension of acting rational, but thinking irrationally. This tension is demonstrated whenever Charles’ interacts with neighbor Tomas. However, it is questionable whether Charles’ aggression towards Thomas is appropriate, because Tomas is sleeping with his underage daughter. The effects of this predicament cause Charles discomfort, and in return he desires Tomas to perceive him as a threat if Tomas hurts Del (50). However, this desire to be perceived a threat draws on the tension of balancing a rational, and irrational behavior. This is because Charles is upholding fatherly obligations to protect his children. However, Charles is also required to uphold his duties of respecting his neighbor’s privacy, though he does not like what they are

As it is demonstrated when Charles desired to burn down Tomas’ workshop, envisioning the destruction and harm he desired to cause towards Tomas. However, Charles ability to recognize his fatherly obligations makes him walk away, and assert his position as a “practical man” (52). Though Charles did not perform the violent action, it is arguably the agent’s irrational desires and intentions that depicts Charles’ mental instability. However, there is a sense of regret when Charles chooses to act rationally, because it makes him believe that he is selling his daughter to remain financial stable (49). Like Thanh, when Charles chooses to act submissive it is for the sake of survival. Consequently, this causes Charles loses his ability to assert his agency and uphold his role as a legal guardian for his underage daughter. The next incident that depicts Charles as the Mad and rational man is when he momentarily desired to shoot Tomas when they went on a hunting trip. However, Charles admitting to Tomas that contemplated on shooting him is what asserts Charles’ madness