The Lame Shall Enter First

Categories: Short Story

Everyone feels like they are out of place at some point but sometimes you have to make do with what you got. Whenever you're outside you usually feel a sense of selfishness with the wind blowing in your face and the trees dancing in harmony of everything in nature. We take it for granted most of the time. In the short story "The Lame Shall Enter First" uses selfishness, sadness and the connection between Rufus and others. You shouldn't put so mouch time in others

The sense of Sadness in "The Lame Shall Enter First" really conveys the connection Norton had with his mother.

Rufus on the other hand is not Sheppard's son he was raised wrong. Shepard is trying to make an honorable young man. Sheppard is a widow his wife died a year before this story began. "He did not appear to notice his father" this quote shows that Shepard is very concerned about Nortons well being. Norton is heartbroken by the fact that his mother is gone.

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Rufus believes in god but he believes if he is bad he can just be forgiven right before he goes to heaven, thus the name of the story "The Lame Shall Enter First". Sheppard is trying to help both of these kids but for some it is too late.

The sense of Selfishness in "The Lame Shall Enter First" is when Norton is very selfish to his father, it seems that he is getting worse and more selfish and put down by his mother's death.

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Norton is Sheppards ten year old son who he tries to raise alone because his wife is dead. While using the wisdom of fatherhood but he spends more time with Rufus than with his own son. Sheppard is extremely selfish when he says "Don't you think I miss her at all? I do, but I'm not sitting around moping. I'm busy helping other people. When do you see me just sitting around thinking about my troubles?" this makes Norton so much worse than before.

The Reason why Rufus is so bad is because he has a mother in prison and his father he never knew. Rufus also was raised terribly by his crazy grandfather who is an advocate for his religion and is very abusive. Sheppard is very selfish because he spends more time with Rufus than the others in the reformatory. He does this because he has a high IQ and believes he has a brighter future than his own. Sheppard thought that by giving Rufus shelter, food, clothing and new shoes it would make him a better person and may change his perspective on life. Rufus has always been against Sheppard because he is an Atheist. Rufus believes that he can be as bad as he wants and be forgiven for his sinful acts in the end just before he dies.

Instead that very own purpose of the telescope became the probe that caused and brought sorrow to Sheppard's life. Rufus persuaded Norton that when he finds his mother in the heavens then he could join her when he dies. Blinded by his self righteousness, Sheppard realized that he was misdirected and that Rufus was never going to change no matter how hard he tried and how many gifts he sheltered him with. Once he tried to intervene and make it right with his son unfortunately, it was too late. Norton had committed suicide by hanging himself trying to get to his mother. In conclusion you should never lose focus on what's most important because you could end up losing them in the end.

Updated: Nov 01, 2022
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The Lame Shall Enter First. (2019, Dec 18). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/the-lame-shall-enter-first-essay

The Lame Shall Enter First essay
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