Edward Schimmel

The Utilitarian Edward Schimmel

The Utilitarian is the story of a young boy, Bobby, growing up in middle-class America without his father. His mother is a very caring and loving person, but cannot fill the void Bobby has inside of him. The worth of his father's sacrifice to save his fellow Marines is a central problem Bobby must confront nearly everyday. He is haunted by the memory of the father he never knew by his dad's old Mustang. The car seems to speak to him, and comfort him in times of despair. Confronting the emptiness inside of him when his grandmother falls ill and is hospitalized, Bobby falls even further into despair and anguish. He is teased and beat up at school, prompting his harsh and vindictive uncle to encourage him to strike back. The Utilitarian addresses problematic issues relating to violence among children, and how far a person can be pushed before they snap. In a time when people look for answers to the violence among the youth of America, The Utilitarian pushes the reader to an understanding of the things we fear most.