Miserable Minutes

This poem describes a young person who feels that his self-worth is dependent on how others feel about him. If they feel good about him, then he deserves t live. If they don't feel good about him then he deserves to die. He also feels that he should terminate his own existence because other people don;'t like him. Even when he is dying and his father smiles he doesn't regret having done it because-after all, his father didn't like him In short,m his whole way of reasoning is based on a false premise. Made into a syllogism it goes something like this.

Major premise:You are worth what people think about you.
Minor premise: People think you are worthless.
Conclusion: You are worthless.

Major premise: People's low opinion of you justifies suicide
Minor Premise: People think lowly of you
Conclusion: Your suicide is justified

Please note that these arguments, though valid because premise and conclusion harmonize, all have a flawed premise and a false conclusion. Why? Well, because humans aren't necessarily and invariably worth what people think about them. People very often base their opinions on prejudice, racism. social snobbery, innate sadistic tendencies or because maybe they are borderline insane. Going along with them and committing suicide is just plain stupid. It would be similar to the Jews all committing suicide during WWII because the NAZIS considered them sub-human.

In any case, the poem does convey this irrational feeling very accurately.

Hiya! Space here for a review.
This story truly broke my heart, and by the end, I felt a deep sympathy for this boy. In only two paragraphs, you captured the crushing, depressing feeling of a boy who felt unloved and useless. And, thought it might only be me, I felt mad when the dads expression turned into "pure joy" at the sight of his only son stabbing himself in the neck. It really hit me hard, especially since suicide is such a serious concept that I myself have dealt with before, and it shows how seriously hard it can be to feel like your completely alone. This makes it even sadder when you realize--he IS alone.
Overall, the description really hooks in the reader and leaves them sitting there in a daze as they process the sad ending to a two-paragraph story about a boy who was unloved.

Great job!! I really look forward to reading more of your stories.

-Space the Snickerdoodle

Hey there, hope you don't mind if I leave you a quick review.

Overall, your story broke my heart. i feel for this boy who has taken this route, and in the end he confirms that his father was thrilled to see him go. Your writing skills: amazing. Just amazing. Your writing style easily allows you to tell a story, especially as short as this, and effectively draw me in and feel for your character. That is a hard thing to do in such a short story. I definitely hope to see more (hopefully more positive) stories of yours.

Most importantly, suicide is never the answer. No matter how bad times get, it just isn't. "It is a permanent solution to a temporary problem". It is devastating for those left behind who DO care for the person (and there is always someone out there who does, even if you havent met them yet...) So needless to say, I am heart broken by this story of a young boy who is trying to write a letter to leave behind, deciding instead that nobody will care and going through with it. In the end, the boys father processes what is happening and is left with joy. That is just... UGH. So if this story in anyway reflects your thoughts as a person, just remember that it gets better, and theres always someone out there who loves you.

So, if you ever write another story, I'll make sure to keep an eye out. You have talent with writing, So I highly recommend writing longer stories as opposed to shorts. Great job

Keep writing,

-katja

This is very short and depressing. I can't help but think that you wrote this possibly with inspiration from your own life which is very upsetting. I am so sorry to hear that if you are going through tough times. I'm always here if you need to talk, I myself am struggling from tough times too. Your short story does tackle the harsh philosophy that people have that they feel pressured to leave a mark on the world. You also covered the idea that people feel like they need to be validated to have a gf or bf, friends and family. That is so very depressing to think that no one would care when someone dies but that is never the case. There is always someone that cares. Family, friends, people that knows someone, strangers that would be upset when they hear that story of a suicide on the news. The dad is a butthole and is the dad symbolism for his depression devouring this character's mind and making him believe what he assumed was true? Please listen to the song Secret For The Mad by Dodie. I am always here if you need to talk. You are a great writer keep up the great work.