Diary of an Oxygen Thief

Throughout the narrative, the narrator reassures his audience that everything that he has done, every bad act he has committed, has been paid in full. He says, “But don’t worry, I got my comeuppance. That’s why I’m telling you this. Justice was done. Balance has been restored. The same thing happened to me” (2). Although this would insinuate that he believes what happened to him is just, he also talks about how what happened to him is worse than anything he did. However, he does acknowledge the existence of balance that has resulted in his karmic retribution; namely, that he hurt others and so he got hurt himself.

Similarly, the narrator actually cites the reasoning for his behavior on a balance he attempted to restore after feeling so much emotional pain. In giving the audience a reason for his misogyny, he explains:“I see now that I was in pain and wanted others to feel it, too” (4). The belief in karmic retribution also indicates a balance; if the narrator feels as though he is in pain—even if he will not admit it to himself—he wants to see others in pain as well, creating a universal pain.