Johnny: The Kind, Curious, and Acquisitive Character
Johnny is among the several characters in the story, The Man with the Heart in the Highlands, by William Saroyan. Throughout the story, Johnny plays various significant roles in enhancing the plot buildup through assisting in the development of other characters such as his father, Old MacGregor, and Mr. Kosak. In this light, Johnny showcases various personality traits in his relationship with individuals in the story. Johnny appears as a kind and obedient, curious, and also acquisitive character through his involvement in the plot.
Kind and Obedient
Firstly, Johnny is a kind and obedient individual. As the protagonist and the narrator in the Saroyan's story, he recalls the events that took place during his young age in 1914. During this time, Old MacGregor came along Johnny's home at San Benito Avenue (also Fresno) while playing his bugle. After the old man asks for water, Johnny does not hesitate in providing him with help to quench his thirst. Together with his father, they engage in looking for food for the old actor from Mr. Kosak's grocer. In this case, "JOHNNY, running, returns with a pitcher of water which he hand to the old man" (Saroyan, 59). Johnny also shows his kindness by offering to feed the old actor with the less food the family had at the time. "I got a gopher snake in that jar..." (Saroyan 64).
Curious and Observant
Secondly, Johnny is a curious and observant person whose eye remains on every detail that happens around him. After MacGregor appears at his home, Johnny greets him with endless questions in an attempt to understand the type of man that the old actor was. Johnny asks him where he came from and even what he was doing at the moment. At the same time, Johnny goes ahead to inquire about Old MacGregor's family, interests, and abilities. "What's your heart doing in the Scotch Highlands?...How come the members of your family are always leaving their hearts in the highlands?...Where's your mother's mother?" (Saroyan 57). This personality trait depicts Johnny as a young and observant boy with great aspirations of learning from other people and also what happens in the surrounding. Seeing the old man responding to his questions, Johnny keeps inquiring more and more as he tries to understand the visitor who had just visited their home.
Acquisitive
Lastly, Johnny also appears to be an acquisitive person. After offering MacGregor with the food from the grocer, the old actor claims that he was not yet satisfied. Johnny tells him that the family had nothing else left to feed him apart from the gopher snake in the jar (Saroyan 64). However, Johnny has a deep interest in protecting animals from unnecessary harm. Therefore, he stands up to defend the snake from being killed for food by Old MacGregor. "JOHNNY [defiantly, protector of animals] Nothing doing, Mr. MacGregor…" (Saroyan 65). His protectiveness of the animals and the family belongings depicts his acquisitive character.
In Conclusion
Johnny contributes in multiple ways in the development of William Saroyan's story and also the making of characters in the story. As the narrator in the story, he gives details about various events that occurred in 1914 when he was a small boy. In his narration, Johnny provides details about his roles in the story which depicts some of his characteristics and personality traits. In this case, he appears as an individual with kindness, curiosity, and also protectiveness.
Work Cited
Saroyan, William. The Man with the Heart in the Highlands " Other Early Stories. Vol. 740. New Directions Publishing, 1992.
