The Insecure, Power-Hungry Man of Five-Forty Eight

When first introduced to Blake, the main character of The Five-Forty Eight, the reader is left completely unaware of the insecure man whose main purpose and desire in life is to feed on those persons he deems lacking in “self-esteem” or simply weaker than himself. As the story progresses however, we begin to see the true motives behind his hideous behavior. Inside the character that outwardly lacks morals and guilt is an insecure guy man in search of power to prove his self-worth.

From the beginning of the story, it is obvious to the reader that though he appears self-important at the same time some of his inner-monologue demonstrates his obvious insecurity. He characterizes himself as an “insignificant man” and states that there was “no point in anyone’s following him from his office” (4). He recognizes that though he feigns importance in many situations, in truth he is “undistinguished in every way” in the greater scheme of society (11). His insecurity is furthered by his lack of real acquaintances. His lack of solid relationships with his wife as well as his neighbors leaves him with no real friends whom he can confide in. Even his wife is an “unpleasant stranger”, and yet she is the closest person to him. This deficiency of relations creates loneliness within him and adds to his insecurity. He has no one to reinforce his undeserved self-worth, no one to comfort him, and no one to soothe his insecurities. This form is insecurity is demonstrated clearly when he seeks to “affirm his sense of actuality,” the simple fact that he exists in the minds of others. Though his insecurities seem to excuse him from his actions, his power-hungry attitude towards others cancel all sympathy the reader may feel.

Blake’s almost innate tendency to feed on weaker beings is sensed at the beginning of story, and plays a huge part in the formation of his personality as well as the progression of the story. His constant need for power is the driving force behind this disgusting tendency. It is clearly illustrated through his relationship with his wife and the various women in his life, and also less prominently through his judgmental observations of those around him. His relationship with his wife is one of constant fighting on trivial subjects with the clear domination of Blake due to his authoritative and downright mean attitude towards his wife. His wife’s kind nature and desire to please him leave her the submissive, powerless member of the marriage only affording Blake more power. As to his constant flings with other women, he even states himself, or rather recognizes through thought, that “[m]ost of the women he had known [and preyed upon] had been picked for their lack of self-esteem” (8). His routine of hiring, using and firing along with this mentality demonstrate his need for power over those he knows are easy targets. Each conquest is a way of proving his self-worth as a man and a powerful figure. He recognizes his insignificance in the world and seeks to reverse such a notion in the form of his using women. He also reaffirms his self-worth and importance by criticizing the people around him thus raising himself in comparison. He marks the humans around him as “rich, poor, brilliant or dull” in order to his superiority over the weaker humans (23). It is made obvious through such actions that his need for power and superiority is a direct consequence of his insecurity.

Though one can try to excuse his behavior, at the end of the story I was still left with the notion that he was a jerk (no other way to say it without profanities). It is clear when he walks away feeling “safe” that he has no desire or plan to change (62). There is no way to excuse his behavior. His treatment of others is absolutely despicable and in my case, I wish she had killed him and showed him the same lack of humanity he had showed her. Though she was crazy, I excuse her actions due my pure hatred of Blake. He deserves to die. The end :) (686)