Both these protagonists consist of personalities and characteristics that greatly differ from each other. In opposition, the protagonist in “The Quiet World” is content with his circumstances but it is palpable that there is something off putting about his eager willingness to conform to the government’s desire to “appease the mutes”.

He refuses to lie down and accept the A6 that has suddenly plagued and destroyed humanity as he has known it. In contrast, Bernie in “Night Surf” is raging helplessly against the horrific reality that has been thrust upon him. living in a dark and harrowing stateīoth protagonists respond to the unfortunate circumstances in their lives in opposing ways. But on the other hand, it takes on a different overall approach as it is more dark and harrowing while the poem leans towards more of suppression, conformity, unfulfillment and restriction. “Night Surf” is similar to the poem as it consists of a starkly depressing, dystopic and hopeless tone. The tone is one of mellow acceptance, reflecting how the speaker has chosen, perhaps subconsciously, to accept and conform to the restrictions imposed by “the government”. In contrast, the protagonist in “The Quiet World” shows a feeling of content in the beginning, but the poem has an undertone of a depressing foregone conclusion. Uncontrollable circumstances can make an individual conform to changes or give up basic freedoms even though they are losing the agency in their lives. As well as the want to rebel and resort to anger can become overwhelming and drive a person to do abhorring actions. Through both stories, the decision to conform and comply leads to the lack of individuality and identity.

While both short story “Night Surf” by Stephen King and the poem “The Quiet World” by Jeffrey McDaniel are set in a dystopic reality where circumstances out of the protagonists’ control have restricted their lives, the characters in both stories respond in opposing ways, showing how people can choose to conform to the impositions, or rage and rebel against the circumstances they have no power over. But this truth is altered when suddenly outside forces take a strong hold on them and they become powerless, their lives unmanageable. Individuals have the power and ability to create and manage their own needs and wants in their lives.

Night surf by stephen king