In "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day," the reader is supposed to sympathize with the protagonist against all the ills that coincidentally befall him on this one day.But in reality, this is the story of a depressed, antagonistic, pissy little jerk who is suffering karmic retribution for his excessing negativity.
Let's look at all the things that happen to Alexander and try to pinpoint the sources. Was it his fault, the "Bad Day's" fault, or is he just being pissy?
- Gets gum in his hair after falling asleep chewing it -- this is both poor hygiene (chewing gum at night) and poor decision making (chewing gum while falling asleep). Alexander's fault.
- Trips on his own skateboard -- poor decision making and lack of focus. Alexander's fault.
- Drops his sweater in the sink -- poor decision making and lack of focus. Alexander's fault.
- His brothers find toys in cereal and he doesn't -- random chance. Bad Day's fault.
- He doesn't get car seat by window -- probably the result of a rotating seat assignment system, but could by the whim of the adult who's driving. Bad Day's fault.
- No one listens to his complaints of car sickness -- if Alexander's gripe had been that he got car sick, this would have counted against the Bad Day. Instead, he seems most perturbed that no one listens to him complain about it. Alexander being pissy.
- Teacher likes a picture of a sailboat better than his picture of an invisible castle -- clearly Alexander shirked the assignment. Alexander's fault.
- He sings too loudly: Alexander probably knew that he was doing this on purpose, but without context we'll assume capriciousness on the part of his teacher. Bad Day's fault.
- Leaves out 16 when counting: Alexander's fault.
- Paul demotes him to third-best friend: Given Alexander's negative attitude and penchant for whining, this is completely understandable. Alexander's fault.
- He bad-mouths Paul -- confirms Paul's decision about friends. Alexander's fault.
- Dentist finds cavity -- Bad Day's fault.
- Elevator door closes on foot -- Lack of focus on Alexander's part, but still Bad Day's fault.
- Brother pushes him in mud -- Bad Day's fault.
- Brother calls him crybaby -- Bad Day's fault.
- Mother scolds him for punching brother, being muddy and fighting -- Bad Day's fault.
- Store is out of striped shoes, forced to buy white ones -- Bad Day's fault.
- "Accidentally" plays with dad's copier and breaks it -- Alexander's fault.
- "Accidentally" knocks over books and spills ink -- Alexander's fault.
- "Accidentally" calls Australia -- Alexander's fault.
- Served lima beans which he hates -- Alexander's fault.
- Kissing on TV which he hates -- Being pissy.
- Bath too hot: Being pissy.
- Soap in eyes: Alexander's fault.
- Marble down the drain: Alexander's fault.
- Forced to wear railroad-train pajamas: Being pissy.
- Brother takes back pillow and night light: Bad Day's fault.
- Bites tongue: Alexander's fault.
- Cat sleeps with brother: Wouldn't you? Alexander's fault.
