Analytical Essay on Machine Man by Marlish Glorie

In this essay I will be talking about what goes on in the short story “Machine Man”, and interpreting it by looking at aspects like narration, viewpoint, and other things you commonly look at when analyzing a text.

You may be judged on everything you do, which is good for staying on track, but never let anyone judge the things that make you keep happy. Even if it involves kidnapping an old lady. 

The main character in this story is named Paul. Paul is introduced very early in the story, as he is also the on who narrates it. When characterizing Paul, we quickly notice that he is an interesting individual. He lives in a caravan, that Black Jack owns, more on him later. Paul does not pay rent, which is nice since the caravan has all the essentials that he needs to sustain himself, and all he has to do is “feed the guard dogs”-line 8. He spends his time working at a car wrecker´s yard, where he has been working since the age of 15, which is near the caravan he lives in. All this is all located in the middle of a suburb, standing out a bit too much to avoid any complaints. Paul’s appearance is quite out if the ordinary and is nicknamed the “machine man”. The reason for this, is that he has a lot of metal bits sticking out of him and hanging of him. It is also mentioned that he has dyed orange hair, and wears very loose pants, indicating that he is probably some type of stereotypical goth, or metalhead. Another weird trait he talks about is strange relationship with gadgets and metal, and here he means actual metal like steel. He mentions that sees things like his TV and microwave, as living entities, and feels as if they are his family. He also has frequent conversations with his microwave which he is highly judged for, even though he is simply doing what makes him happy without bothering anyone. Paul also doesn’t have a mom, as he was running away at a young age, he was lucky given a home by Black Jack, and still live by his side. This often leaves him wondering about the joy of having a mom but is instead encouraged to get a girlfriend. All this information has led me to believe that Paul most likely has some kind of mental disability, considering he is also unable to write.

Paul also has two friends, named Black Jack, and Nut. Black Jack was the one who started the car wrecking business, where they all work. Black Jack is Paul’s “best buddy”, and most of the interactions in the short story, happens between the two. Black Jack is a very joyful person that laughs at almost anything, no matter the situation. Black Jack is for some reason very against Paul thinking about old women and enforces “that it is sick”-line 43, and he tries to make Paul believe that he is going to make a habit of it, which could turn bad. Paul’s other friend named Nut, also works at the car wrecker´s yard, although he doesn’t seem to be as close to Paul as Black Jack is.

The three friends have a fun way of talking, using words like “mum”, “ya”, and “bloody”, which tells me that they are probably from a British like area, but it is later mentioned that they are in Queensland, which is in Australia, where they talk pretty similarly.

In the story Nut fools around with Paul and mentions kidnaping a “mum” from the old folk’s home. This makes Paul start to actually consider picking out a “mom” from the old folk’s home. He begins to think about how it actually might be good idea for both Paul and the “mom” to take one of the elderlies back home, and how no one probably even notice it. Paul makes the decision to walk to the nursing home, which is close by, and pics out an elderly woman sitting in a wheelchair. He felt that this woman both needed him, and he needed her, and thinks she recognized him instantly, and Paul is filled with joy, but leaves to return a day later. Paul starts planning the visit, with cleaning up, and deciding what they will be eating for dinner. Jack Black must know Paul very well, because he catches on to what Paul is doing, and threatens to hurt him if he starts “fiddling” with any “old ducks”-line 105. Paul noticed that he was looked at very differently, at the old folk’s home, he felt very accepted, and was seen as more of a “normal” person. This gives the story a sort of a god bad/yin and yang type of theme and gives a nice contrast to the story. Paul has decided that Mother’s Day is the perfect for bringing his “mom” home and surprising her. Paul gets everything ready, and prepares gifts, and gets help from Nut with writing a card, and also fixes up the caravan. But he decides not to change anything about himself, by leaving all his piercings stay in his face, as he feels that his “mom” loves him for who he is. He went to the nursing home and picked up his “mom”. On the way home they “talk” about what they could see around them, but the “mum” could only make gurgling sounds, which makes me think that Paul’s mind only makes him hear what he wishes to hear. They make it home, and Paul surprises “mum” with gifts and food, and “mum” seems happy. Paul was also happy like never before. But when seeing this from another perspective, it actually a bit sad, as Paul is most likely just experiencing delusions due to his mental disability. Paul is forced to return his “mom” to the nursing home, as he is scared that Black Jack would lose his mind if ever finding out what really happened. 

Paul ends up remaining happy, and the story ends, leaving you speculating about what has actually been going on. But I do believe that the author is trying to say something about how to stay happy, when living in a world where everyone judges you for the things you do.