Two Fishermen By Thomas Delaney

In the short story "Two Fishermen," Morley Callaghan portrays three characters as appearing heinous despite their actual kind-hearted demeanor. Firstly, Smitty, the town's executioner. Due to hanging a well liked man, Thomas Delaney, and being the hangman, Smitty might seem like a cold-hearted individual, however, he is described as being " a mild harmless lookin guy"(65). Furthermore, Smitty knows he "ought to be ashamed"(68) about being the hangman. In addition to Smitty appearing different to his actual self, Thomas Delaney is considered, in the eye's of the law, a criminal despite trying to protect his wife. FInally Michael Foster, the town's reporter, interviews Smitty while fishing. Michael learns that Smitty is quite harmless and kind in contrast to being the hangman. However, despite knowing his personality he does not report Smitty as being a good man. Instead he chooses to act indifferent towards the townspeople throwing objects at Smitty.

Despite his friendly interior his job requires him to do some gruesome acts. For instance: hanging Thomas Delaney, a man who killed his wife's rapist. This hanging shows Smitty agreeing to the law that Delaney should be executed. But the townspeople sided with Delaney's action, however, Smitty had to do his job. As a result, the townspeople resented Smitty. This is shown by the townspeople throwing objects like the fish Smitty gave to Michael in an act of good will. Smitty knows that he "ought to be ashamed"(68) about being the hangman but he knows there has to be