Character Analysis of Mr. Carter in Thus I Refute Beelzy by John CollierIn many stories, the protagonist is often described as the hero or "good guy" of the work. In John Collier's short story, “Thus I Refute Mr. Beelzy,” this is not exactly the case. Mr. Carter, the "I" in the title, is a cruel and selfish father, locked in a struggle with the invisible "Mr. Beelzy" for the love and soul of his son, Small Simon. Carter likes to have power and be in control. He's used to everyone doing what he wants, without question. As a dentist, he can legally exercise this power over a helpless patient. They are at his mercy as they lie sedated in his chair. Mr. Carter comes home early because two patients have canceled their appointments, although the reason is not stated. After studying the story, it became reasonable to assume that they canceled because of the pain Mr. Carter was about to cause them. As a father, he is able to exercise this power over his grandson. Little Simon is at the mercy of his father when he recoils under the weight of his father's "big white hand of the dentist." Even Mr. Carter's wife is afraid of his anger. She doesn't want to say anything bad about him, even though she "knows what Big Simon's ideas are." Even though Big Simon isn't in the room, his power precedes him. Furthermore, Mrs. Carter is not, as the reader might assume, the one opposed to the idea of ​​beating Small Simon. Betty, not Mrs. Carter, shouts, “Don’t do that!” » before Big Simon says he will beat Small Simon. Betty, not Mrs. Carter, reacts and rushes up the stairs to the sound of something that seems to "rip the air." In addition to this, Mr. Carter shows his supremacy over Small Simon by the very fact that he and his young son are named "Big" Simon, "Small" Simon. He even goes so far as to say, "I've been in the world longer than you, so naturally I'm older and wiser." » In this way, Mr. Carter establishes supremacy over Small Simon, in his mind..