Analysis essay

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The Palace Thief
The main theme brought out in “The Palace Thief” is moral corruption and is seen through the characters Sedgewick and Hundert. For three generations, Hundert has been a true and honest teacher; however, when Sedgewick becomes his students, his honesty is challenged (Canin 156). Sedgewick is the son of a prominent senator and from the beginning, he is a morally corrupt student. He is always cheating and bullying other children but has never been reprimanded (Canin159). Hundert, his teacher, and the headmaster are aware of Sedgewick behaviors but keep silent about it because they feared the senator.
During the vital Tournament of Roman History, Sedgewick Bell emerged the winner after cheating and Hundert knew what had conspired (Canin 168). Sedgewick has continued with these ill behaviors and become a corrupt businessman. He is the head of a large corporation and uses his position to organize for another Tournament of Roman History. He manages to cheat and win for the second time. His lying behavior is never exposed since he is the senator’s son.
Hundert is also considered to be morally corrupt because he does not expose Sedgewick even though he was aware of his corrupt behaviors. In the two tournaments, he keeps silence yet he knew that Sedgewick was not supposed to win. Hundert is proud to be a teacher of integrity and one who has molded many young boys. However, since he allowed himself to be manipulated by the powerful senator into overlooking Sedgewick’s unacceptable behaviors.

Hundert and the headmaster are responsible for bringing up such a corrupt citizen as Sedgewick in the society. Hundert’s cowardice behavior renders him a morally corrupt teacher while Sedgewick’s cheating acts portray his moral corruption.
Work Cited
Canin, Ethan. The Palace Thief: Stories. Random House, 2013.