The Loneliness of The Long Distance Runner

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            The short story The Loneliness of the Long-Distance Runner by Alan Sillitoe features a man named Smith and at first, readers don’t really know much about Smith but decide from his actions that he is a flat out ordinary crook just to steal money. However, throughout the story Smith uncovers his reason behind all these felonies. Still, some people stick to the idea that he is a crook up to no good but despite how some others will view Smith as a bad guy due to his actions, Smith’s motives qualify him as a good guy.

            Many readers will view Smith as a bad guy solely due to his choice of actions. Some will say that he steals such as when he robbed the baker’s shop and that makes him a bad guy.

Neither of us said as much as this to each other, but I know for a fact that was what we was thinking. What I don’t know-and as sure as I sit here I know I’ll never know-is which of us was the first bastard to latch his peepers on to that baker’s backyard. Oh yes, it’s all right me telling myself it was me, but the truth is that I’ve never known whether it was Mike or not, because I do not know that I didn’t see the open window until he stabbed me in the ribs and pointed it out (Sillitoe 24).

However, what I think is that there is much more reason than just for the greed and the laziness to work for his money. Even more, readers could argue that Smith is an outright criminal by saying that he defies the law and lies to the detectives that question him. “He asked me questions again and I didn’t tell him anything except lies, lies, lies, because I can go on forever without batting an eyelid” (Sillitoe 34).

Again, I feel there is a reason behind this and not merely just lies to keep him out of jail. Once again, in the story, he vandalizes a picnic set up by people he refers to as rich, posh people.

We crept up on them and peeped through brambles, and saw they were eating a picnic, a real posh spread out of baskets and flasks and towels. There must have been about seven of them, lads and girls sent out by their mams and dads for the afternoon. So we went on our bellies through the hedge like crocodiles and surrounded them, and then dashed into the middle, scattering the fire and batting their tabs and snatching all there was to eat…

(Sillitoe 17).

Even though it is very convincing through all of these actions that Smith had done these out of greed but however, I believe that he had much more reasons and motives that led him to these actions and ultimately making him a good guy.

            It can be led toward the fact that Smith is a bad guy through his actions but what makes him a good guy in the end is the reasons and motives behind the crimes.

Smith describes how there is a constant war in his mind between the “In-laws” and the “Potbellies” and Smith has to do everything he can to make life as hard as possible for them as they have all the money and just sit around with all their luxuries.

I only want a bit of my own back on the In-Laws and Potbellies by letting them sit up there on their big posh seats and watch me lose this race, though as sure as God made me I know that when I do lose I’ll get the dirtiest crap and kitchen jobs in the months to go before my time is up (Sillitoe 45).

It is now clear that Smith didn’t vandalize the picnic earlier just for the heck of it but for the reason that he has this mindset that he must do what is right in his mind even though it means repercussions. Some people such as me could see this as a heroic act, sticking up for his beliefs and standing for what he knows is right. Another time that he has the mindset of war between two groups is him and the governor.

For when the governor told me to be honest it was meant to be in his way he wanted and won my race for him he’d see I got the cushiest six months still left to run; but in my own way, well, it’s not allowed, and if I find a way of doing it such as I’ve got now then I’ll get what-for in every mean trick he can set his mind to. And if you look at it my way, who can blame him? For this is war-and ain’t I said so? (Sillitoe 45-46)

Smith once again is sticking up for what he believes is right. Smith refuses to be used in what he describes that he is the prized “race-horse” of the governor and Smith decides to lose the race on purpose even though he knows that he will have the worst six months in jail. Again Smith demonstrates a heroic act qualifying him as a good guy.

            Throughout the short story, Smith through many actions has made readers believe that Smith is an outright bad guy. I however see Smith as a hero with his brave and courageous actions to fight for what is right in his eyes. Despite how some others will view Smith as a criminal and a bad guy due to his actions, Smith’s motives disprove this and qualify him as a good guy.