"Charles" is a short story written by Shirley Jackson, first published in 1948. The story is narrated by a young boy's mother, who describes her son's habit of tormenting their neighbor's pet, a small bird named Charles.
At the beginning of the story, the mother describes Charles as a "miserable little beast" and tells the reader that her son "hated Charles with a desperate sincerity." Despite the mother's efforts to stop her son from torturing the bird, he continues to do so, often coming home with feathers and bits of Charles stuck to his clothing.
As the story progresses, the mother becomes increasingly worried about the welfare of Charles and the effect it is having on her son. She tries to intervene and protect the bird, but her son becomes more and more aggressive, even threatening to kill her if she tries to stop him.
Despite her fears, the mother eventually confronts her son and tells him that he must stop tormenting Charles. She tells him that it is not right to hurt another living being, and that he must learn to show kindness and compassion.
In the end, the mother's words seem to have an effect on her son, as he finally stops tormenting Charles and instead begins to care for the bird. The story ends with the mother reflecting on the changes she has seen in her son, and how she hopes that he will continue to grow and learn from his experiences.
Overall, "Charles" is a poignant and thought-provoking story about the dangers of cruelty and the importance of compassion. Through the eyes of a young boy's mother, Jackson explores the complex relationship between a child and his pet, and the ways in which that relationship can be both destructive and transformative.
Eureka Stockade
The appalling situations the miners faced were not sorted out so conflict between miners and the government kept increasing. However, a new chairman was elected, and motions condemning the government and calling for the resignation of Foster were passed. Retrieved 22 July 2020. However, due to pre-trial legal chicanery and the unavailability of witnesses, it was Joseph who was the first accused man to go on trial. London Working Men's Association. In 1855, eight miners became representatives for the Victorian government, and Peter Lalor was among them.
The Eureka Stockade
It had been named after a deep seam of land called the Eureka lead. The licence was compulsory whether gold was found or not so diggers felt that it was an unjust tax on their labour. There were only about two hundred miners left, as many had snuck away. On 8 December, some 500 men of the Miner's Association, who were "armed with sticks, waddies and pickhandles and led by the Clunes Brass Band, marched around the streets. There were many worries about claim-jumpers, which resulted in miners working 6 days a week Sunday being their rest day. Haines MLC was to be the chairman, serving alongside lawmakers John Fawkner, John O'Shanassy, William Westgarth, as well as chief gold commissioner William Wright. Of the approximately 120 individuals detained after the battle, 13 were put on trial for high treason beginning on 22 February 1855, where matters of fact were determined by a lay jury chosen from among members of the general public who were largely sympathetic to the rebel cause.
Australian Dictionary of Biography. In a despatch dated 18 November 1854, Hotham stated that: "I lost no time in making such dispositions as I concluded would enable the authorities to maintain the integrity of the law; and within four days, 450 military and police were on the ground, commanded by an officer in whom I had confidence, and who was instructed to enforce order and quiet, support the civil authority in the arrest of the ringleaders and to use force, whenever legally called upon to do so, without regard to the consequences which might ensue. Melbourne: Melbourne University Press. Retrieved 17 January 2007. Poor women crying for absent husbands, and children frightened into quietness.
