Analysis of 'The Highest Branch on the Tree'

Bullying is a serious issue. It goes on every day and we often hear about it in the media. Bullying causes a lot of pain for many people, both young and old. But why do some people experience this? Why do some people need to pick out another person and put them through the pain it is to get bullied. Bullying is a theme, which the story The Highest Branch of the Tree deals with. The short story is written by Ray Bradbury.

The short story takes place in the United States of America. The narrator, Douglas Spaulding goes to Berendo Junior High School. The other very important character, Harry Hands also goes to school here. Harry Hands gets bullied by the other children at school. Douglas Spaulding describes Harry Hands as a “smarter than anyone else” type of guy. He flaunts his great IQ and is good at gymnastics. This makes Douglas and the other boys jealous, and therefore they bully him. H.H didn’t run away crying. “Harry Hands did not put on his pants up there nor did he come down, even though the principal came out and ordered him to leave.” (p. 2, l. 29). From this quote we sense that H.H doesn’t want to give the bullies the satisfaction of him trying to run away from his problems and hide. He is strong and doesn’t let anyone stop him from living his life.