“Test” written by Theodore Thomas. is a short narrative about humanistic disciplines need for power. The power being that to command others thoughts. sentiments and self individuality. through trepidation of divergency and authorities control.
The short narrative “Test” is derived from the fright of variegation and ego individuality. From the minute Robert Proctor wakes up from his hypnosis. the reader sees that the foundation of the universe he is populating in is based on control. The act of hypnosis itself. is person traveling into your head and stating you precisely what to make. Symbolism abounds in this short narrative. one in peculiar is that of the adult male in the bluish uniform. The unvarying symbolizes constabulary and authorities laterality. After Robert marks the application to have his licence. work forces in white coats come to take him off for “treatment. ” The work forces. typifying the authorities machine that is eating up the populace in Roberts universe. “Killing people doesn’t seem to trouble oneself you. ” . “you ill and need intervention. ” Thomas. here demoing the reader that all people have to suit into the mold that is normalcy. The fact that Robert still wanted to drive after the imposter accident made him “different’ and that had to be eradicated instantly. The fright of hardship of ideas. and feelings is no more greater shown so when Thomas writes “grooves worn into the floor. ” Proposing many others have been in Roberts topographic point. doing the point that fundamentally all of society goes when Robert did. All the others left over are excessively frightened to drive once more. fundamentally doing no-one on the route at all.
The hypnosis itself refers to another individual commanding what you think and do as an person. In the beginning of the narrative Thomas describes how Robert felt while driving. ”he felt good rested. ” It is stated that Robert perceives the miss in the opposing auto to look guiltless and swearing. However. that merely might be how the hypnotizer interprets her characteristics. Robert might look at her in a wholly different manner. Subsequently on we learn that Robert is hypnotised so these feelings are non his ain instead person else’s. Person. possibly the adult male in the bluish suit. is stating him what to believe. and how to experience. Robert in this state of affairs is being straight controlled by the authorities. As if he were a machine. Robert. under hypnosis does precisely what he is told without any statement. It is merely subsequently when Robert is wake up that he argues and states his sentiments. And it is merely when Robert is explicating his ain ideas that the work forces in white coats tell him he needs “treatment. ”
In today’s society pop-culture dictates every facet of life. To the manner people look and frock and sometimes how we think. However. “Test” shows us that in the hereafter it is the authorities that is in control. Throughout the narrative the chief character is ever referred to by his full name. Robert Proctor. This suggests that Robert is being watched and recorded all the clip he is taking his trial. Big Brother is ever watching him. possibly the work forces in white coats are detecting him throughout his ordeal watching him like a lab rat. The adult male stating Robert what to make during his trial is have oning a bluish uniform typifying constabularies and authorities control. In the short narrative “Test” . the authorities is like a Dictatorship in the manner that is wholly eliminates human diverseness. The authorities uses scare tactics to turn out its point. pulp like East Berlin. Communist Russia. and contemporary Afghanistan.
Theodore Thomas’s short narrative “Test” is stating to the reader with precise literary elements. top-hole symbolism and complex issues that human diverseness should be celebrated. Diversity is what makes this universe an interesting and astonishing topographic point to populate. Without people of different races. faiths. and backgrounds life would be dull and deadening. All people have varied thoughts and sentiments. and if anyone were to take that off from us we would all stop up like Robert. easy transformed into machines.