sentences:  The doctor continues to scoff at his illness, and Charles's parents do little to help his situation, and perhaps aggravate it.Fear of not being taken seriously by adults is a common worry of children; children in many ways rely on adults to help them, since they are unable to help themselves.A literal interpretation of the story leads one to believe that Charles has literally been transformed into a walking disease that can kill other living creatures on contact; however, the way the story is written leaves it open to interpretation.