In the story, “The Third Wish”, by Joan Aikens, this story takes place in a Valley near a forest where a river flows at the foot of his garden. The main character, Mr. Peters is a lonely man. He lives by himself and does not have a relationship. One day he wishes for a wife, and in return gets a swan and a heart full of Selfishness. Also Joan Aikens uses emotions and dialogue to convey the message of selfishness. By using emotions and dialogue, Joan Aikens creates the image of a selfish old man looking for a companion.
During the story, Mr. Peters wishes for a wife, but does not think of her personality. The selfishness in the story is created when Mr. Peters, wishes for a companion. He asks for “A wife as beautiful as the forest” (1). In return, he gets a wife and a heart full of selfishness. Because he is a lonely old man, he thinks to himself that he wants a companion but he does not think
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One Example is when Mr. Peters find out that his wife is a swan and not full human being he realizes how he truly is selfish. This is significant because Mr. Peters emotions illustrate selfishness. For example, when Mr. Peters finds Leita crying with her head on the swan's shoulder, he ask: “what is it ?” (2). Then Leita says about how the swan was her sister and “I can’t stand being separated with her” (2) quote Leita. This shows how he is not thinking of who he will hurt when you wish for something that he wants and only what he wants. Secondly, when Leita is still crying about being with her sister, Mr. Peters ask “Don’t you love me at all, Leita ?” (2). This shows the emotions of Mr. Peters when he asked her. This is solely selfishness because he does not contribute to the conversation between him Leita, but he just thinks of himself and ask if she truly loves him. The emotional dialogue in the story contributes to the main theme of