Evelyn Perea
English I Honors
Mr. Pyzik
February 2, 2015
In almost every movie, book, TV-show there are rivalries. We see characters being affected in the past, present, and future. With this, the author portrays a larger theme. Through this theme, characters are being affected. Whether it be with envy like in “Homer’s Enemy” or with anger in Death by Scrabble, the authors show different ways of showing how hatred and fighting affects the characters and their dynamic.
In “Homer’s Enemy” written by John Swartzwelder, the author uses envy to depict the effects it has on characters in the episode. In the beginning of the episode, Kent Brockman introduces Grimes and says, “Abandoned by his parents at age 4…” One can tell that already at a young age, Grimes has experienced neglect, especially had it come from his own parents. Throughout the episode, we observe the affects this had on Grimes. For example, when Frank Grimes is invited over for Homer’s house for dinner, he is marveled by the beauty of his home. He then proceeds to yell at Homer. He says, “You leech off decent, hardworking people like me….you’re a total fraud.” The writers intended for us to believe that Grimes felt that he should have been entitled to a decent life like Homer’s. Later on in this episode, Homer Simpson feels hurt by Frank’s negative perception of him. He demonstrates hurt by trying to act responsible and intelligent. He is affected by Grimes’ hatred, but he eventually returns to the usual fool that he is. This rivalry roots from envy and frustration with Grimes’ limitations and the lack of recognition he receives in his lifetime.
In Death by Scrabble by Charlie Fish, there is a rivalry between the protagonist and his wife. With this conflict, it is very secretive because the two of them are indirectly unaware of their hatred for each other. Although, the protagonist makes it very obvious. He says, “If she wasn’t around, I’d be doing something interesting right now.” (Fish 2) Throughout the story, it becomes more intense. The author tried to make it seem that perhaps the wife had some control over the arrangement of the letters. One can say this because in the end it states, “My wife just sits there watching.” (Fish 2) This could indicate the apathy of her husband’s death because she hates him. We don’t know if the wife was aware that the letters were magic, but we know that the protagonist had a sense that it did. His anger resulted in his own death. He was so invested in his hatred for his wife that he got lost in the idea of her dying. Consequently, he was the one who died and she was the one who survived. Their rivalry demonstrated that hatred and fighting can be subsequent to dangerous results.
In these two examples of rivalries, there is a larger theme that is being portrayed. Through “Homer’s Enemy” written by John Swartzwelder, the character of Frank Grimes is affected by his traumatic past and demonstrates envy upon Homer and his easy lifestyle. Also through Death by Scrabble by Charlie Fish, the rivalry between the protagonist and his wife spirals out of control and results in death and apathy. In these two examples of rivalries, the authors both portrayed a larger theme of anger and envy.
The Nature of Reality 
