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ter> The Characteristics of Joe Manetti, a hopeless victim Joe Manetti, a confused young man, has lost his son in a tragic accident and is dealing with the loss of his wife who has left him. In Dan Ross story Always a Motive, the protagonist, Joe Manetti, portrays a hopeless victim struggling to survive. Dan Ross depicts the struggle of Joe Manetti through Joes state of mind, his demeanour, and through the gentle return of the Miller boy. Each example allows the reader to follow and empathize with Joe and his internal struggle.
Joe Manetti has experienced a great depth of emotional suffering and severe anguish, which has become unbearable. Joe is no longer a father or a husband. The only peace that Joe seems to find is when he is out driving. After Joe is arrested for the kidnapping of the Miller child, the Inspector asks Joe where he was the day the Miller child went missing. Joe replied, I was out driving. I drive a lot.
I like to get away from the apartment (108). The manner in which Joe drives around aimlessly with no destination or purpose illustrates his state of mind. Joe is so emotionally isolated that he does not recognize the dilemma he is in. The Inspector further asks Joe for an alibi; Joe responds with his grief-stricken voice: I dont see how Ill be able to prove anything. I get spells when I cant stand it in my place. I take the car and I drive.
Anywhere! I just drive until I feel better (110). This is the closet thing to an alibi that Joe can respond with. Joe is continually getting spells that prevent him from being able to live a normal life.
Until he deals with his pain he will remain in despair. As the questioning perseveres, Joe can only passively answer the questions with his tormented eyes upon the Inspector repeatedly stating his innocence (109). His demeanour never changes as he is slumped wearily in his chair [reciting] the same story over in a weary, agonized voice so low that the Inspector strained to hear what was being said (110). Joe is too depressed to try and clear his name in the crime, his tone [is] dejected and his agony[ing] voice allows the reader observe and feel what Joe is experiencing (110). The only thing Joe is able to do is plead his innocence; however, his demeanour and lack of confidence undermines his plea of innocence as the evidence is stacked against him. When a witness comes forth and substantiates Joes innocence, he also reiterates Joes state of mind his detachment from the world: [He] seemed to be in some sort of daze, (111), thus further indicating that Joe is in his own world.
After Joe is cleared of the crime, his mood and behaviour still remains the same: The pale face and black, curly hair showed no special sign of relief (111). In Joes tormented world of emptiness he has no closure for his pain. Nevertheless, when Joe discovers the Miller baby on the front seat of his car, he comes face to face with the reality he has been attempting to avoid. Giving the baby back personally with the chance to see the reaction of the fathers face is the closest thing that Joe will ever come to getting rid of the dark cloud that has become his cruel reality. Joe knows that nothing could ever return his child and relieve him from his ever-present numbing pain, but just for a moment, if he could see his unattainable dream come true in another person it may help relieve his incessant agony.
Carefully gathering the child with a glance of infinite sadness Joe returns the child to the father and his eyes [search] the startled face. to see the face of a father who lost his kid and then got it back (107, 112). These carefully chosen words used by Ross show the emotional state of a desperate victim not a villain. Through Ross description of Joes aimless unaccountable driving habits presenting his state of mind, his weary conduct and the gentle returning of the Miller child, the story Always a Motive shows the deep personal anguish of Joe Manetti. Joe Manetti is a man in whom readers empathize with and can understand his struggle. Like his child, Joe is a hopeless victim.
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Research essay sample on Story Always A Motive State Of Mind Joe
