A Very Potter Party

Although I enjoyed many of the characters throughout Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter, I especially liked Silas “32” Jones. Tom Franklin, who earned his MFA in fiction, describes Silas as a brave boy who never let court-ordered integration hold him back. Silas ignored cruel racism to become a baseball star even though one in eight Americans still identify as racist. As a result of his perseverance, I believe Silas deserves two Potter-filled gifts for his birthday: polyjuice potion and a time turner. Silas’ first gift, polyjuice potion, gives him the ability to change into another character. Silas admits to Larry Ott, his boyhood friend, that he would often “wish I [Silas] was you [Larry]” as a child (256). Franklin applies situational irony in regards to the social status of both men. Why would Silas, a respected official, wish to become a hated man? Silas needs the polyjuice potion in order to experience Larry’s constant searing loneliness. Another fantastic birthday present for Silas would come as the time turner. For example, Silas describes the night he “took the car” without permission (203). By utilizing the car as a symbol for Silas’ wrongdoings, Franklin creates a remorseful tone. If Silas had a time turner, he would have the ability to respect his mother’s wishes and show his love. Franklin again illustrates Silas’ remorse through Larry Ott. Silas never admitted to having accompanied Cindy Walker on the night she disappears, leading everyone to assume Larry’s guilt. When discussing the decision, Silas states he wishes he could “‘do it differently’” (207). Through the regretful connotations of “differently,” Franklin implies Silas’ ongoing guilt. With the help of the time turner, Silas could face his cowardly past in order to clear Larry’s name. Throughout the novel, Franklin impresses upon those with guilt in their lives to confront their pasts. Even without a time turner, one can still try to right their wrongs. He also advises those who envy others to hold back their jealousy. I personally loved watching Silas grow to his full potential, and I hope that others who feel lost in their lives can gain the confidence that Silas emulates. 

Tears for a Small Town

            In the second third of Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter, Tom Franklin creates a plethora of tear- jerking moments. Although he grew up in a small town in Alabama, Franklin describes the disappearance of Larry Ott’s childhood crush, Cindy Walker, with deep empathy. The subject of abduction hit home for many Americans in the 1970s who blamed the inadequacy of law enforcement. Abduction remains prevalent in society today, with adults reporting a missing child every 40 seconds. I felt like crying the most at the disappearance because of the disastrous consequences it brings for Larry, extending far into his adult years. Although Larry plans an exciting night for his first date, Cindy wishes to meet her secret boyfriend. Larry resists, pleading “‘I don’t want to’” (129). Through the uneasy diction of “don’t,” Franklin foreshadows the horrors the night will hold. He also creates dramatic irony: how could Larry know that helping Cindy would lead to her disappearance? Larry’s apprehension heightens when he goes to meet with Cindy, but he sees “no car” (132). As a result of the negative connotations of “no”, the author implies the horrible outcome: Cindy’s disappearance.  For the next 25 years, the town assumes Larry’s guilt. As a result, the citizens ostracizes him. After years of isolation, Larry realizes how “empty” he has become as a result of this abandonment (182). Through the negative denotations of “empty,” Franklin implies the terrible solitude Larry wrongly endures. The author also asserts that all humans need companionship. Without friends, one’s life can become unbearable. Ultimately, in the second third of the book, Franklin acknowledges many opposing groups in Larry’s town. He addresses those who judge other too swiftly, encouraging them to take a second look at any situation. But on a more negative note, he attacks child abductors in order to show them the cruelty of their actions. I personally could hardly control my emotions as I read of poor Larry’s predicament. I can only hope for the people who live in solitude throughout the world to stand strong, just as Larry Ott does.

Consoling Counsel

Throughout Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter, Tom Franklin, a southern man himself, illustrates Larry Ott as a meek yet defiant boy growing up in Mississippi. Larry’s small town still stands racially divided: a common trait in a land still stricken by the effects of the Jim Crow era.  Larry often conflicts with his father, Carl Ott, in regards to the social boundaries that he crosses when he befriends a black boy, Silas Jones. The bigotry that Larry experiences still stands in America today, as one in every eight Americans identifies themselves as racist. If I could advise Larry Ott during his troubled childhood, I would recommend that he separates himself from his father’s cruel antics in order to gain happiness with Silas at his side. Franklin first indicates Larry’s destructive relationship with his father when he states that Carl “liked…everyone except him” (38). Franklin applies situational irony in this instance in regards to the love a father should feel for his son. He also implies the shame that Carl feels towards his son, a pain that Larry must escape in order to develop self- confidence. Again Carl Ott delivers more erroneous lessons when he refers to Silas as “‘that nigger boy’” (84). Through the negative denotations of “nigger,” Franklin indirectly characterizes Carl as hateful. In order to avoid such narrow-minded thinking, Larry must escape his father’s ignorance. Carl Ott ultimately displays his true colors when he confronts Silas about the gun he borrows from Larry, and Carl tells the boys to “‘fight’” (89). By pitting Silas and Larry against each other, Franklin implies the end of the unusual friendship. If Larry had a single friend when entering high school, he could have avoided the solitary life that he eventually leads. Overall, Franklin addresses many issues in the first third of his book. He criticizes the actions of men similar to Carl Ott in order to convince them to act open-minded instead of ignorant. He also addresses isolated children similar to Larry to convince them to approach new people to gain their friendship. After the first third of the novel, I hope that Larry finally defies his father, and that other neglected children find the courage to do the same.