In class today, we discussed "The Destructors" and filled out a worksheet based on a certain protagonist. My group's protagonist was the gang of boys as a whole. As we discussed the theme, we came up with something to the effect of: "Unnecessary destruction or other negative influences can cause people to become numb to exposure of future similar incidents." The underlying destructive event that most likely inspired this story was the London Blitz. As the video shows, this really left a lasting international impact because innocent lives were destroyed. (Click here to watch the mentioned video)
As my table group discussed this, we started to question why boys would think of destroying a house. When you think about it, it's confusing. One can argue that the boys were just trying to have fun and play a prank on the old man, but how does one answer the question about the specific plans to destroy the interior, then the exterior? Why couldn't the boys have taken hammers or knives and just start beating at the house? We thought that it was because of the impact that the London Blitz showed. These boys are so numb to the fact that they are destroying property because they have seen and experienced first-hand the impact of destruction. It really breaks my heart to think that the London Blitz was so damaging that it inspired someone to write about boys who destroyed a house for pleasure and beguiled an old man. I understand that when I phrase it like that, it seems exaggerated, but the truth can be tough. These children, who may not even understand the political issues that fueled the war, are destroying a man's property. During our discussion, it dawned on me how much children (including myself and my peers) take stock in our circumstances. The same is true for these boys.
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