The Drowning of Stephan Jones – Bette Greene

A critical view [Superfluously Speaking]

Bette Greene had the opportunity to develop a brilliantly complex theme: exposing the truths that teenagers have problems with parents who did not fit the mold of high expectations within a social environment that reeked of a blatant ultra-conservative intolerance of habits, preferences. and personal beliefs. that it was not with the mainstream flow of tradition and learned behaviors; that adolescents must face the search for their own identities in the midst of the internal conflicts of emotional needs to be accepted, loved and appreciated by their parents and their peers; and that the offspring are affected by “inherited” roots that spread an endless stream of hatreds that are continually strengthened and derived from a totally flawed logic of misinterpreted impressions.

The main intention seems to have been to examine the interaction of youth and adults in a judgmental environment that will not tolerate alternative lifestyles or individual preferences. The bias is based on a morality that has its roots in religious fanaticism passed down from generation to generation. Carla’s reluctance to be decisive is not credible because she shows moments of sophisticated insight that are not supported by her actions. Her need to be accepted and approved by Andy is undermined by her inherent sense of justice, which is contradicted by her actions. He felt the need to reject Andy’s sold letter (A) (H) ero; but she didn’t. He could easily have repudiated the arguments made by Andy regarding religious support for his beliefs; but she wouldn’t even though she was depicted bright enough to do so.

This story is like an all-you-can-eat buffet of Shoney confused by the superfluous problems of the supporting cast. Judith Weyland’s social conflicts with the conservative majority provide the meat for another sad tale of misfortune;

Lawrence Harris’s demeaning attitude toward his own son is not necessary to lend credence to Andy’s behavior, as it is unlikely that a father would treat his own son that way; Carla’s moral conflict with Andy shows that she is strong enough to exert her influence on him, but this force is not perpetuated in those areas of history where she was expected to prevail. The Reverend Wheelwright seems more like a show to ridicule than a role model to respect. The sporadic eruption of biblical chapters and verse quotes from other silly and insignificant does little to help focus on the real problem, the reluctance of the just majority to accept those elements of society that they neither understand nor embrace.

Chapters 17 and 18 provide the heart of the story during which Stephan Jones’ foretold drowning takes place, as anticipated from his avowed fear of water (chapter 8) and Andy’s involvement (chapter 2), as well as Stephan’s desire to be with Frank on earth and in the afterlife. The objectivity of the story loses its perspective when Mrs. Greene commits the last left-wing act of promoting her own first novel (p.73) and allowing self-righteousness. prostate (instead of prostrating) to overlook (p.147) as well as the unfamiliar word crib (p. 16) [instead of crèche]. Most incredible is the radical demeanor of Reverend Wheelwright, who seems more ignorant than reverent.

The writing style combines superficial details that emphasize stupid hyperbole with jagged cliches that elicit groans of impatience that tempt the imminent elimination of loosely organized chapters struggling in vain to get the point of a different social problem. The predictable sequence of events (pizza scene [chapter 7], drive to Campbell Yaw’s [chapter 17], drowning scene [chapter 18] did not leave suspense. Just the suggestion that something was in the newspaper under Frank’s arm hinted that something important was going to happen. The latest embarrassment Andy would have to endure due to the lie he started leaves one with the feeling that justice was not served. However, the ending paves the way for alternate endings to the story, resolutions that may seem more appropriate than a suspended sentence for cold-blooded murder.

The reader may feel that they have participated in a feast of problems, but the main conflict, understanding and dealing with homosexuality in a conservative community, remained an untouched morsel lost on the skewer that pierced the heart of many problems and problems. let. dead to a clearer understanding that teenagers so desperately deserve. My own feeling is that justice was not served and such injustices continue to prevail where highly paid lawyers find loopholes to not only free dangerous sociopaths, but also to line their own pockets with wealth far greater than the thirty silver pieces it took. to betray Christ. He might as well have preferred that Frank had pulled out a UZI and left Andy and his useless horde speechless; but that would not have been an appropriate reaction for any young man to emulate. The fact that Frank was able to destroy Andy’s reputation as a “man” was sufficient, credible, and effective.