“Don’t call me Ishmael” by Michael Gerard Baver depicts the pervasive presence of bullying in the novel. Bullying is defined as repetitive mistreatment inflicted through verbal, physical, social, or psychological means. It stems from the abuse of power by one person or a group towards one or more individuals.
Bullies should be both supported and disciplined as counseling can aid in understanding the root of their behavior. This support and discipline are necessary since by punishing the bully, students will comprehend that bullying is detrimental, and bullies will recognize the consequences of their actions and the potential for personal growth. Additionally, counseling can assist bullies in addressing and resolving their underlying issues.
There are multiple factors that contribute to bullying behavior, including familial and social issues, as well as the personal history of the bully. Barry Bagsley is a bully and it is possible to determine the reasons behind his behavior. Can they provide assistance to him? It is crucial to provide support to bullies because they can acknowledge the impact of their actions on others and have the ability to change. When a bully observes another bully physically assaulting someone, they will witness the distress and sadness felt by the victim.
The bully’s guilt would ultimately lead to the bullying being stopped. Punishing bullies is necessary as it helps students understand the negative effects of bullying. In the novel “Don’t call me Ishmael,” Miss Tarango presented a language-based challenge to students where they had to make someone leave their chair without physically touching them. Barry was selected to be on the chair to illustrate the negative impact of bullying and how it made the victims feel upset.
To summarize, bullies should receive both assistance and consequences. Counselling can provide help by identifying and addressing the issues behind their behavior. By being punished, bullies create awareness among other students about the negative effects of bullying. This can also lead bullies to recognize the impact of their actions and motivate them to make positive changes.
