The Return of the Representative
Story Summary
In "The Return of the Representative," a group of disgruntled citizens from an Assembly District, reminiscent of famous fables with moral lessons, convene to decide extreme punishments for their absent representative, contemplating disembowelment and hanging. Their plans take an unexpected turn when the representative arrives in a celebratory coach, greeted by a brass band, declaring it the proudest moment of his life, much to the dismay of the crowd. This classic moral story highlights the irony of public sentiment and the disconnect between representatives and their constituents.
Click to reveal the moral of the story
The story illustrates how public outrage can be quickly transformed into blind admiration, highlighting the fickle nature of public opinion and the disconnect between representatives and their constituents.
Historical Context
This story reflects the political tensions and populist sentiments prevalent in 19th-century America, where public officials could face severe backlash for perceived failures or misconduct. It echoes themes found in American folklore and literature, such as the satirical works of Mark Twain and the raucous town meetings depicted in various retellings of frontier justice, where community responses to authority were often exaggerated and theatrical. The juxtaposition of the mob's violent desires against the representative's triumphant return highlights the absurdity and volatility of political life during this period.
Our Editors Opinion
This story highlights the often misguided and impulsive nature of public outrage in modern society, where individuals can be quick to demand severe consequences for perceived wrongdoings without fully understanding the situation. For example, in today's digital age, a public figure might face online mob justice through social media after a single controversial statement, only for more context to emerge later that mitigates their actions, illustrating the importance of due diligence and thoughtful discourse before passing judgment.
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Other names for this story
The Reckoning of the Representative, Justice for the Representative, The Representative's Reckoning, A Meeting of the Discontented, The People's Verdict, The Representative's Return, The Assembly's Fury, The Midnight Watch for Justice
Did You Know?
This story highlights the irony of public outrage and accountability, as the community's extreme desire for punishment is abruptly contrasted with their representative's triumphant return, revealing the fickle nature of political sentiment.
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Story Details
- Age Group
- adultstory for class 6story for class 7story for class 8
- Theme
- JusticePublic OpinionIrony
- Characters
- the representativethe old manthe Chairmanthe people of the Assembly Districtthe brass bandthe coach-and-four
- Setting
- Assembly Districttamarack swamprailway stationhall