| The Carnival | |
| Author: | Michael W. Fedo |
| Country: | United States |
| Language: | English |
| Genre: | Short story, science fiction, horror |
"The Carnival" is an American short story written by Michael Fedo.
It was published among other short stories, in the book Book: How to Read a Short Story (Scholastic language skills) . Marjorie L. Burns . 1980 . . 978-0-590-30611-9 . 8000874 . 10699186M .
The story concerns a nation that constructs a deadly amusement park to remedy its overpopulation problems. In charge of this operation is the Populace Control. People who win a ticket are sent to the carnival on a bus; cars would become a problem as many visitors do not return. Passengers who die are placed in black plastic bags and thrown into a mass burial pit. It focuses on a young boy (Jerry) who wins a ticket to the titular Carnival, much to his mother's grievance. It is revealed that Jerry is obnoxious and has a sense of invulnerability knowing that the possibility of living that day was one in eight. After he arrives, he realizes the park's true nature while on a ride called the "Thunder Clapper" that electrocutes some of its passengers, including the person next to him. The story ends as the protagonist is being thrown off a ride called the "Whirl-Away" to his death and the body is caught in one of the black bags.
Main theme: The odds are not always in your favor.
Sub-themes: