Theme

The short story “Pig Sticker” by Ann French explores the theme of growing up through Mati. He is a nine-year-old boy who wants to be like his father because he looks up to him. Mati also holds the childish belief that his father could never do anything wrong. 

At the beginning of the story, Mati’s childishness is shown through his behavior and through the way other people treat him. For example, he takes out the lettuce from his sandwich because he does not like it and hides it in his pocket, so the adults will not notice he did not eat it. Moreover, Mati’s father had previously told him he would take him pig hunting when he was old enough. The fact that during the trip he decides Mati can join him when he goes pig hunting shows that he considers Mati has grown up...