The Impact and Resiliency of Nick Andros

When the planet is hit by a virus that wipes out 99% of the population, how does a deaf and mute man end up on top? Nick Andros, from the novel The Stand by Stephen King, shows that, despite his disabilities, he can still make an impact and have many qualities of resiliency. Nick starts to talk about his early life: when he was then transferred to an orphanage, he explained the “thin boys made fun of his silence… and if none of the staff happened to be near, they would punch him out. Why? No reason.” (King 151) This is an impactful and crucial time from his past, because after writing this he has another experience where he is made fun of and later beat up: Ray Booth comes back to the prison that Nick is working at to beat him up again. However, this time Nick comes out on top. This contrast from the story of his past, shows how he has grown and overcome his past. Not only does he do this throughout the story, he also inspires and impacts many people. The main person he affects like this is Tom Cullen. When Nick initially meets Tom he thinks, “I can’t talk and he can't read. For a moment [Nick] was utterly nonplussed.” (King 437) Despite him believing at first that they couldn't develop much of a relationship, much later in the book it is seen that Nick has such an impact on Tom through them knowing each other. It is shown how much Tom actually cared about him when Stu Redman breaks the news that Nick had died while he was gone; Tom then: “lowered his head… Stu saw his tears fall into his lap. They fell in a gentle silver rain… ‘He was my main man Stu–’... ‘Yes he was, M-O-O-N, that spells my main man. I miss him awful. But I’m going to see him in heaven. Tom Cullen will see him there.’” (King 1232) Everyone knew how much Nick meant to Tom, and the emotion shown in this passage from both sides can show that thoroughly. In short, without disregarding and ignoring his disabilities, Nick overcomes them to grow and make deep and meaningful connections with people.