A Dollar and 20 Cents Summary

Mr. Sneed sits on a bench by the ocean enjoying the weather when four young friends come up behind him and start to tease the old man. Mr. Sneed cannot understand why the kids would be cruel, and he tries to explain to them that there is no shame in aging, but Rod, one of the boys, dismisses him. He returns home, where his landlady, Mrs. Conners, insists on bringing him some homemade soup. The soup is unappetizing, and he throws it out the window. He lies down on his bed, listens to the ocean, and dies.

A Dollar and 20 Cents Analysis

Bukowski tends to focus on the strength and brutality of society, but Mr. Sneed is the personification of the other side of humanity. He is old, weary, and resigned. In fact, he is too old...