Mosquito_Plot_Analysis

Mosquito By: Chris Zhang In David Ciepley’s short story “Mosquito” the main character Andrew is fighting to gain acceptance from his older brother Todd. In the beginning, Andrew is seen to be both determined and intelligent, but his many decisions show him to be mostly immature in his understanding of social expectations, causing his brother to reject him. Throughout the game of Truth or Dare, however, Andrew’s character traits lead him to more reasoned choices as he begins to understand the consequences of his decisions in terms of the rules of the Game and his goal of acceptance. By the end, Andrew has matured in his understanding and is reluctantly accepted by his brother. It is Andrew’s character traits that have lead him to an understanding of the consequences of his actions and this maturity has lead to an understanding of social expectations and therefore, greater acceptance. In the beginning, Andrew is seen to be both determined and intelligent, but his many decisions show him to be mostly immature in his understanding of social expectations, causing his brother to reject him. Although Andrew shows determination and intelligence, it is negated by the fact that a immature choice has preceded it. For example, through his determination, Andrew manages to be allowed in the tent with the older boys, he had convinced his mother, yet despite his determination, this decision works against him, as it reinforces Todd’s belief that Andrew is a ‘mommy’s boy’ and leads to Andrew’s rejection. Another example is that although Andrew wipes away off the bug spray, showing intelligence, it was immature of him to put it on in the first place when he knew they were going to play pop the mosquito. These immature choices show an overall lack of understanding social expectation and result in Andrew’s rejection. However, some understanding has been shown when he wipes it off, and this is further evident when Todd challenges him to a game of Truth or Dare. Andrew recalls that he has played a game of Truth or Dare before, chose truth, and was utterly humiliated at school the next day. As a result, his determination and intelligence lead him to realize that choosing Dare is the better choice, even if it is scarier than mosquitoes or ghost stories because he understands that Todd is expecting him to chose Truth. In selecting Dare, just like Todd himself would, Andrew is showing a greater understanding of social expectation, unfortunately, no matter how, much determination Andrew has shown, he has still not matched the mature understanding that he must attain before achieving his goal of being accepted by Todd. Throughout the game of Truth or Dare, Andrew’s character leads him to more reasoned choices as he begins to understand the consequences of his decisions in terms of the rules of the game and his goal of acceptance. Andrew used his maturity and intelligence to understand the choices that he had to make when he leaves the tent. Andrew could go home, complain to his mother, get barred from the tent, and be renown as a ‘mamma’s boy’ making it a horrible decision. Or he could carry on with the dare, and actually gain some respect from his friends, the right choice, as he sees. After using his intelligence to go through the choices, he could then think about the consequences of his actions. He now foresees the results of his decisions because of his determination to learn and his intelligence, as proven when he considers going back to the house, and knows what is going to happen. This also happens when he thinks about going to the forest in the night while still in the tent. He reflects about the option of going to the creek while still in the tent, and decides to do it in the end, even though there is a Sasquatch out there, showing his intelligence and his mature ability to consider. So, he considers the choices laid out in front of him, and decides that going on with the dare would be the most intelligent and mature thing to do. Andrew’s character traits of determination and intelligence are proving very effective, and helping him on his journey to maturity. He uses a mix of his character traits to help him decide, and make the wise choices, thus resulting in a much more mature Andrew. By the end, Andrew has developed his understanding because his determination and intelligence guided him to being more mature, and he is reluctantly accepted by his brother. Andrew has matured in his understanding hence becoming more adult in his decisions, and choices. When Andrew was lying face down in the field, contemplating his next move, he decided to choose to move on. This was the mature decision, as going back would result in either being shunned, being called a mamma’s boy, embarrassment, or more arguing. This decision was made as a result of considering the options, and making his choice like a mature teen-an immature Andrew might have just urinated in the cup and been over with it. Andrew has grown, and this is proven by him making the correct, prudent decision when faced with a more immature option that might have proved more appealing. His journey across the field was defined as a sprinter’s run, which is more masculine and mature than his initial jog. His actions and mannerisms are also much more mature, easily visible when he enters the tent he doesn’t enter calmly, but he bursts in, and messes up their card game, creating the image of a rebelling teenager. The book describes his animal smile, slashing at their faces, once again, the image of a rebel, and a grown Andrew. When he asks Todd Truth or Dare, he is playing their game, and making it his game with the idea of Todd drinking the water, consequently demonstrating his growth. He is now one of them, the game is his as much as it is theirs, and he is accepted, if reluctantly. The acceptance of Andrew is defined in the moment when he asks Todd Truth or Dare, and Todd replies. His sly smile means two things, one of which is that he avoided Andrew’s plan, and the second is that he accepts Andrew due to the fact that he sees through Andrew’s plot, and appreciates the growth in maturity. In “Mosquito” Andrew fought to be accepted by his older brother Todd. When the story started, Andrew was determined and intelligent, but his many choices show him to be incredibly immature in his knowledge of social expectations, making his brother spurn him. During the game of Truth or Dare, Andrew’s character traits guide him to much smarter choices as he slowly understands the costs of his decisions in the conditions of the rules of ‘Truth or Dare’ and his goal of being accepted. When the story concludes, Andrew has matured in his perception of ‘maturity’ and is unwillingly accepted by his brother. It is Andrew’s character traits that have lead him to an understanding of the consequences of his behaviour and this maturity has lead to an understanding of social expectations and therefore, greater acceptance.