Analyse af Kurt Vonneguts 'Next Door'

The short story "Next Door" written by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. In 1955. The story is about a boy named Paul who is going to be home alone. His mother is not very happy about Paul being home alone and she treats him like a little child. His father on the other hand wishes for Paul to stay home alone.Paul sits at home, all alone, playing with his microscope. He suddenly hears his neighbours Mr. and Mrs. Harger argue in the apartment next door. Paul believes that they will soon kill each other if he doesn’t do anything. He then calls the radio station to make a dedication to Mrs. Harger. But it soon turns out that Mrs. Harger is actually Mr. Harger’s lover, Charlotte.This triggers Charlotte and 3 gunshots are heard.Soon the police show up and Paul, of course, thinks that Mr. Harger is dead. But when they knock on the door, Mr. Harger appears in the doorway totally unharmed. Then suddenly the true Mrs. Harger appears and runs into the arms of Mr. Harger.

Paul is an eight year-old boy, who is protected by his mother who treats him like a little baby. She doesn't want Paul to go with her and Paul´s father to the theatre because the show they're about to watch is not for little kids.Paul’s father, however, doesn't care if Paul goes with them to the theatre or if he stays home alone. He wishes for Paul to grow up a little and soon turn into a man.Since Paul has been protected by his Helicopter parents all his life, he is very eager to be home alone for the first time. He wants to grow up and start his journey into adulthood.Paul is a calm and quite introverted child, he doesn't say much in the argument between his parents whether he should go with them to the theatre or stay at home without a babysitter.Paul has a hobby in which he loves to look at objects through a microscobe which makes him a little dorky, but it also makes him a rather curious lad. We also see his curiousness later in the story, when he gets interested in what is happening in the apartment next door.Paul is a caring person since he gets frustrated and scared on other people’s behalf and he wishes to make it better again, even though he isn't obligated to do anything.Paul is also extremely well mannered, probably something his mother has taught him to be. He speaks to All-Night Sam in a well behaved and well-manered tone. He doesn't complain about anything, and most of the time he lets his parents decide everything for him.Paul doesn't wish to make problems and he doesn't slander. Even if it's a woman who killed a man he doesn't wish to be involved in the problem, he only wants to solve it. We see that when Charlotte bribes Paul and tells him not to slander. He is very obedient when it comes to women telling him what to do.