Ross's Wallet

One scene that I would like to discuss is the scene where he decides to give Ross's wallet back with the money. There are many reasons why he shouldn't have given it back. Ross absolutely would not have given the wallet back to Jason if the roles were reversed. Also, this would be an excellent form of revenge, as Ross's dad would have beat Ross for losing the wallet, which was absolutely Ross's fault. Ross had been told to take good care of it and he did not at all. Even the bumper cart ride manager had told Ross to stop horsing around in the ride cause he would get hurt. Not to mention most other people who would have found the wallet would not have returned it.

However, if Jason was to enact revenge through Ross's father, it would be pointless and unfitting. Jason would have little to no connection, and Ross would not learn much of any lesson. Ross would not know it was him, nor would he be likely to change his behavior towards Jason. So in other words, Ross would be pointlessly traumatized further than he already has. This might even worsen his behavior towards Jason, as it is implied that Ross is a bully due to his abusive home life.

This interaction with Ross has shown how much Jason has matured. He is no longer trying to please Ross and gain his friendship for the connection and social status. He only views Ross with pity and acts as the bigger person, putting his past troubles aside. While there could be incentive to return the wallet, Jason doesn't seem to think of this nor actively attempt to get Ross to be kind to him in exchange of returning the wallet. When compared to the Jason at the beginning of Black Swan Green, who didn't even respect his best friend, Dean, he has matured greatly. Jason has finally separated himself from the social hierarchy and has also finally dealt with his bullies.

Comments

  1. ArjunApril 24, 2023 at 12:26 PM

    I agree a lot with your assessment of this scene as a pivotal moment for Jason's coming-of-age. Specifically, I think the fact that Jason pities Ross even after he is disrespected shows that his emotional maturity is at a level higher than it was at the beginning of the novel, and much higher than Ross's.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Nyla Kyles April 28, 2023 at 9:19 AM

    I agree with you by Jason giving Ross his wallet back without trying to play some sort of popularity card it proves that Jason has developed and that he not only has learned not to lean on being popular and deriving his self worth from other people but he has also grown to become more empathetic

    ReplyDelete
  3. MitchellMay 5, 2023 at 9:07 AM

    You make a very good point about the flaws in Jason's logic when he thinks about Ross's father beating him as if on Jason's behalf, which initially really appeals to him. When we consider the likely role that the physical and emotional abuse at home is playing in Ross's bullying, it becomes clear that this "outsourced" beating-up of Ross is only likely to make things worse, AND he would never associate the beating with Jason, so nothing significant would change. It would just make Jason feel good for a few minutes, and even then, we know his conscience would kick in and he'd have qualms.

    Giving back the wallet--and making sure Ross KNOWS it's Jason who is, against all odds, doing Ross a solid--might have some kind of longer-term impact on Ross's moral development. His initial response is on-brand and disappointing ("what, am I supposed to *thank you*?" etc.), but on further reflection, it is possible that he might actually be blown away by Jason's selfless act, or at least to realize how this kid just saved his ass with NO good reason to do so, and that MIGHT cause him to reflect on his own behavior to some extent.

    ReplyDelete
  4. EliMay 19, 2023 at 12:17 PM

    I definitely agree that Jason giving the wallet back shows how much he's matured. I also like your comparison of how he treats Dean in the beginning of the book to how he treats Ross now, someone he doesn't even like. He is able to have some sympathy for Ross, and detach himself from a toxic situation and social hierarchy.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Comparing Bruce and Alison

Alison and Bruce are opposites in so many ways yet so similar and connected. Firstly, they are exactly opposite in both their sex, sexuality, and gender expression. Bruce is a closeted, feminine gay man, while Alison is a masculine, out and proud lesbian. Yet they are similar in their obsessive mannerisms, Alison with her "I think" habit with her diary and other OCD compulsions, and Bruce with his perfectionist house redecorating. They share their love of English and as Alison grows older they begin to discuss a variety of books with each other.  Their differences forces a harsh perspective on Alison's life growing up, but it also allows her to reflect and grow on her circumstances. Bruce was unable to come out like Alison has, growing up in a less inclusive time. This had forced him to marry Helen, raise kids, and perform the role as a masculine father. Because of this, Bruce is abusive in many ways to his children which strains the way Alison views him.  Fun Home discus...
Read more

Esther in the Bell Jar

Esther feels confined, and like she is being observed like some anomaly. In Chapter 10 she has paranoia that Dodo is walking back and forth purposefully outside her mothers house to watch her. She feels the subconscious judgement of everyone in her community. Esther feels alone and judged my everyone for her condition. This creates a vicious cycle for her that makes her condition worsen because she is in a bad condition.  The metaphorical bell jar that Esther finds herself in seems to cause a two-way distortion. Esther begins to see everyone else around her differently and as evil, and people have no way of seeing into her mind and her pain. She immediately assumes the worst in many people. This stems from her perception that everyone is studying her, as if she were underneath a bell jar, amplifying her conclusion that she possesses insanity.  The second way the bell jar distorts her world is in the way that she is entirely trapped beneath it. Under the constrictions of her me...
Read more