The Kool-Aid Wino
An Essay by Adam Kucirek




   Is the Kool-Aid Wino a positive or negative character? There are some positive aspects, and at the same time, there are negative aspects. Given the vague text, I will offend and defend each point of view to the degree that I feel necessary.

   What struck me most is his ability to live despite his family's circumstances. He comes from a large, poor German family. He lives with a rupture that is treatable, but his family cannot afford the surgery.

   However, he is able to walk a distance of about six blocks through thick grass which does not appear to cause him pain. In fact, there is no,time when the story is taking place that he appears to be in any pain. So you might wonder why he can't work to help his poor family. We know that he does do the dishes as his mother instructs him to do. We simply do not know the extent to which he works, so it is very tough to pass judgement that he deos not contribute to the family. Perhaps he cooks or cleans or whatever. I think it is safe to assume that he takes on responsibilites at home, we just don't know. I also believe that if he were able to work in the fields like his other siblings, he most definitely would be. If he were able, his mother would definitely make him work, and that is what I feel the main claim of this arguement is.

   Imagine being in the same situation as the Kool-Aid wino. To me, that would be a miserable means of life. It would be very hard to do everyday activities like picking beans, or even bending over. That would be a true struggle. But he is somehow able to overcome his situation. It is really awesome that he can create his own Kool-Aid reality and achieve bliss by illuminating himself by it.

   In conclusion, I say that it is not possible to consider The Kool-Aid wino a negative character. There is simply not enough information given to support that he is truly negative. The information given implies that he is basically living in a living nightmare The reality he creates helps him get away from it all and for that, I admire him. His efforts to create his own little world indicates that he is trying to get away, that he is trying to fight his situation. If you feel that The Kool-Aid Wino is a negative character, I suggest that you reread the story, and consider what he must be going through, and you will find that the Kool-Aid wino is a positive character in more ways than one.



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Last revision: April 10, 2000
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