In 'The Running Man' written by Michael Gerard Bauer many characters have been stereotyped or 'put people in boxes' from rumours spreading and not being nice. This especially happens to three characters from the book, Tom Leyton, The Running Man and Mrs Mossop.
Tom Leyton is a mysterious man and has a different story about his life than most others. "I don't know - maybe he has seen enough of the world. Maybe that's why he hides himself away in that house." This quote tells us that people make judgements about Tom and putting him in a box since they have not met him. Mrs Mossop said this quote and she had never met him before she said this.
The Running Man is not a normal neighbour-hood member but when you hear his story you will understand why. "...then that's the only way people see him. And after a while...its the only way he can see himself...and it becomes impossible to break free." This quote being said demonstrates how people box each other before they get to know one another.
Mrs Mossop is known to be the gossiper of the neighbour-hood and because of this people tend to do it to her as well. "The whole neighbour-hood was well aware of Mrs Mossop's reputation as a tireless distributor of news and rumour." "Mossop by name gossip by nature." This quote demonstrates people judging Mrs Mossop not for who she is as a person but for what they think she has done.
In conclusion 'putting people in boxes' and stereotyping others is not only a problem in a book with fictional characters but also in people's lives today. 'The Running Man' novel shows us this through the characters of Tom Leyton, The Running Man and Mrs Mossop.
Due: Friday 8 March
Due: Friday 8 March
