Essay Questions

What does the old man represent?

The old man’s role is ambiguous in the story. He is neither the boy’s father or guardian. Indeed, the narrator does not disclose how the two became friends. The old man is therefore a way of standing in as a parental figure to Duckie. He teaches Duckie the important life lesson of being grateful for what one has.

What does Duckie represent?

Duckie is a representation of the curiosity and imagination of young children everywhere. He is curious to learn more about life through the old man’s stories. Much like most children, he is quick to decipher the underlying message of the story and indeed by the end of it he is far more grateful for his life than he was at the beginning.

How is religion present in the story?

The old man can be interpreted as being a human manifestation of God. He is a most unusual character, yet he is extremely wise. The fact that he contrasts the experiences that Duckie has had with that of unluckier characters shows that he is trying to cast insight into those that do not have the same positive upbringing or life experiences that Ducky has had.