There’s A Man Hitting My Head with an Umbrella

Reader Response
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Creative Writing
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Reader Response: There’s A Man Hitting My Head with an Umbrella
Reactions and impressions
My reaction to the story is it reminds me of routine because when a person is used to a normal occurrence in his or her life regardless of what it helps them find the balance in life. Even if the man did not stop hitting his head with an umbrella, he is aware that if it is no longer happening, he is going to miss it. This is just like challenges or struggles because even if they can sometimes cause sadness, without these, people will feel helpless or sometimes bored. It has become a part of daily life that adds to the excitement of living.
Quote
“A new anxiety is eating at my soul: the anxiety stemming from the thought that this man, perhaps when I need him most, will depart and I will no longer feel those umbrella taps that helped me sleep so soundly.” This line struck me because he has grown so accustomed to being hit by an umbrella by the man that he has found solace in it. Readers might think that it he is being silly, but I understand what the man is going through. Sometimes dead silence can be deafening that you start to look for a little chaos to keep you at peace. This man’s daily life would not be the same without this daily event. He contemplated on killing the man, but he realized that he will look for him.
Vocabulary
“Anxiety is eating my soul.” These words interest me because the man admits that he has the tendency to experience anxiety if all of this stops. He also mentioned about the man’s presence even during his most intimate activities, and I can relate this with anxiety because it can strike any time. Anxiety does not choose the time, place or day it is going to attack when it is triggered. It could also be the reason why he understands the man’s need to hit his head repeatedly even if he has tried numerous times to shove him away.
Questions
“Why was the man fixated to him only despite the presence of other people around them?”
The reason behind this is no discussed in the story and it seems that he is the man’s favorite. However, I think that the presence of the man with the umbrella could be symbolic and actually means something else. I suggest not to take it literally because it could be related to his thoughts not ever leaving him or the man is suffering from a particular mental illness. If it follows him everywhere, even during the times when he w...