Themes and message

The temptation of breaking rules

The main theme of the story “Uncle Dougie’s Suitcase” by Alastair Chisholm is the temptation of breaking rules and the potential consequences.

After Douglas is caught looking through his uncle’s suitcase, Uncle Dougie does not scold him. Instead, he shows understanding: “ ‘It’s always tempting, eh?’ (...) To look when you know you shouldn’t.’ ” (l. 50). This shows that Uncle Dougie is aware that it is the attraction of the forbidden thing which made Douglas look through his suitcase. Uncle Dougie’s suitcase does not belong to Douglas and he has no right to touch it, but it is tempting, because it contains something he wants – his present. Therefore, Douglas cannot help but be drawn to it, despite knowing he should n...