Student Question

In "The Zoo Story," what does Jerry hope will happen in Peter's future?

Quick answer:

In "The Zoo Story," Jerry hopes that Peter will live life as an animal rather than a vegetable, meaning he should actively choose his life and fight for what he has, rather than living passively and habitually. This reflects their confrontation over the bench in the play. Additionally, Jerry hopes Peter will avoid being caught for his involvement in Jerry's death.

Expert Answers

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 Judging by the lines on the final page or two of the play, Jerry hopes that Peter will live as an animal, not a vegetable. By that he means, living as a vegetable is to live a life of habit, being dead inside. Living a life as an animal means choosing one's life and fighting for what one has, as the two men fight over the bench in the play. (He also wants Peter to not get caught for killing him.)

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