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 is used to everyone doing what they want, without asking questions. As a dentist, he can legally exercise this power over a defenseless patient. They are at his mercy when they lie sedated in his chair. Mr. Carter returns home early because two patients have canceled their appointments, although the reason is not given. After studying the story, it became safe to assume that they canceled because of the pain that was about to be caused to them by Mr. Carter. As a father, he can exercise this power over his little son. Little Simon is under his father's mercy when he cowers under the weight of his father's "big, white dentist's hand." Even Mr. Carter's wife is afraid of his anger. She's not willing 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 who opposes the idea of ​​Small Simon's beating. Betty, not Mrs. Carter, shouts, "'Don't do it!'" before Big Simon says he will beat Small Simon. Betty, not Mrs. Carter, reacts and rushes up the stairs at the sound of something that seems to "tear the air to pieces." In addition to this, Mr. Carter shows supremacy over Small Simon by the very fact that he is called "Big" Simon and his young son, "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, in his mind, Mr. Carter is establishing supremacy over Small Simon.