An element of suprise

An element of suprise

Both “The School,” by Donald Barthelme and “Rules and Regulations,” by Christian TeBordo describe violence in a way that is comedic. “The School” is about children that have many class pets that die within a short amount of time. The kids are at a very young age where most things are replaceable and morality is incomprehensible. “Rules and Regulations” is a detailed description of how to properly discipline a child through formulaic descriptions of physical discipline in increasingly intensive processes. Both stories use violence in a way that exhibits an unexpected shift from the accepted definition of violence. Each author uses what they know about our society’s expectations of moral conduct and uses that knowledge to their comedic advantage.

In the beginning of “The School,” death occurs quite rapidly, which in a sense, desensitizes the reader to the idea of violence and death as it pertains to young school children. Children at this age are barely, if not at all, capable of taking care of themselves.   Consequently, it is reasonable to assume that any pet within the hands of a toddler would surely meet its demise soon after it has been taken in. As the toddlers execute their rudimentary actions, elements of surprise are continuously introduced into the story.

The story follows the toddlers through their possession of many “pets” and class “projects”. We are made to believe that the initial occurrences of death are a natural stage of human development whereas a child is introduced to his own powers as animal at the top of the food chain. We slowly are disillusioned both by the consistency and severity of the deaths.   Starting with the death of thirty small trees pales in comparison to the death of a Korean orphan:
“It was an unfortunate thing, the kid’s name was Kim and maybe we adopted him too late or something.   The cause of death was not stated in the letter we got.   They suggested we adopt another child...