Forever changed
In modern society, most people are concerned about their own problems and remain detached from other people’s business. However, some events in the lives of others may affect and bring some changes to our own lives. This is the case of Peter, in the play ‘The Zoo Story’ by Edward Albee, who was complacent about the life he led until he met Jerry and got to know his story. Peter inspite of himself could not avoid getting involved in and being affected by Jerry’s personal story. It must be ackowledged that Peter did not want to get involved in a conversation with Jerry. When Jerry approached Peter’s bench at the park, announcing that he had been to the zoo, Peter did not even notice him. Besides, Peter was totally puzzled by the unusual enquiries Jerry made and he just replied them by reflex. Peter was anxious to get back to his reading and to dismiss Jerry. Peter was really annoyed and uncomfortable with Jerry’s presence. He did not want to strike up a conversation with him. He just wanted to enjoy the seclusion of ‘his’ bench as he usually did on Sundays afternoons. Clearly, Peter showed no concern for the conversation Jerry tried to carry on. However, Peter’s evasiveness towards Jerry’s enquiries and stories began gradually changed as their conversation flowed. Little by little, Peter inspite of himself began getting involved in and was affected by Jerry`s enquiries about his private life, by Jerry’s life story and by Jerry`s killing himself in front of him after the fight over the bench.