Golden Opprotunity

With the summer Olympics in full swing, several Americans have fixed their attention on one color: gold. Many athletes have worked their entire lives to attain this color, similar to the way Will and Jim fight for it in Ray Bradbury’s Something Wicked This Way Comes. Bradbury, an Emmy-award winner, describes Will and Jim’s constant battle between light and dark in the era of the baby-boomers. The boys always fight for the goodness surrounding light; therefore, I believe that the color gold best represents the conflict between the boys and Mr. Dark. Bradbury first introduces Dark when they see the evil man from a distance, and as they watched, “darkness came” (53). Through the mysterious connotations of “darkness,” Bradbury implies the ominous power he possesses. Without the power of light, Will and Jim have no means to stop this monstrosity from entering their town. But the author describes an instance where the boys face the opposite element when coming out of a Mirror Maze, and they “stepped into sunlight” (65). The Mirror Maze, a creation of Mr. Dark, tortures its victims by showing them images of themselves at a desirable age. Bradbury utilizes the golden “sunlight” as a symbol for safety, sharply juxtaposing the color to the darkness surrounding the villain’s contraption. The author carries this symbol until the end of the story after the victory over Dark when Will, his father, and Jim all walk into the night as “the moon watched” (289). The illuminating connotations of “moon” again juxtapose the darkness of the night, a symbol for the menacing power Mr. Dark previously held. By utilizing light of the moon as a symbol for justice, Bradbury asserts that good men will always triumph over the evils of darkness. The author sends this message to those who struggle to fight their own demons, encouraging them to find joy through the golden light. Conversely, Bradbury also addresses villains such as Dark, displaying how their evil can never prevail. I see the color gold as a symbol of hope, not only carrying the dreams of Olympians but also those of everyday Americans to a better tomorrow.  

Father's Love

Growing up, every child longs for their father’s love and approval. If a child gains these gifts, his or her self-confident can grow exponentially. Emmy award winner Ray Bradbury highlights this assertion in his novel, Something Wicked This Way Comes. Bradbury tells of two boys who discover a magic carnival. One boy, Jim Nightshade, lives only with his mother, while his best friend, Will Halloway, resides with both parents. Although nine percent of children grew up with a single parent in the 1960s, Bradbury writes with admiration of Will’s father, Charles Halloway. The author describes Mr. Halloway as a brave and trustworthy man, two traits that I would like to embody. Bradbury first highlights these traits when the father confronts his son, stating “‘you didn’t steal anything’” (131). Through this blunt claim, Bradbury illustrates his unwavering trust in his son’s innocence. If I could embody Mr. Halloway, I would hope my assurance in my child’s character would remain just as steadfast. Again the author writes favorably of Mr. Halloway when the father tries to stop the evil Mr. Dark from finding Will and Jim by accusing him of acting “jumpy” (174). By criticizing the villain of acting obsessed over such innocence, Mr. Halloway leaves Mr. Dark irate. Bradbury indirectly characterizes Will’s father as brave for protecting the children, an action that I would hope to take for my child. The novelist further justifies Mr. Halloway’s integrity when he explains “I hate…not being able” (130). Although Bradbury expresses Halloway’s regret through the bitter diction “hate,” he highlights the man’s nobility when the father ignores his own troubles in order to help Will and Jim. The author applies this message to parents today to encourage them to protect their children from the evils of the world. In my life, I see men such as Mr. Halloway as everyday heroes that make a great difference in many lives. Although some men wish to return to the joy of youth, Bradbury emphasizes that protecting others will ultimately bring superior self-satisfaction than nostalgia ever could.

YOUthful Style

Throughout the first third of Something Wicked This Way Comes, Ray Bradbury’s stylistic choices greatly affect his writing, a passion of his since age eleven. Bradbury tells of Jim Nightshade and Will Halloway, two boys who discover magic in a traveling carnival. The author writes from a time when boys often pushed the limits, such as the members of the band The Beatles. In order to emphasize their curiosity, Bradbury often switches from a third person point of view to second, a stylistic choice that I find highly effective for his novel. The author applies this technique when describing a habit of Jim’s: “you never look away” from the world (40). By using Jim as a synecdoche, Bradbury asserts why young boys often feel inquisitive. In switching to second person, he creates pathos felt by those who explore. Consequently, Bradbury generates empathy towards Jim’s wayward character. Again the author uses this style through Will’s father, claiming “you’re…nearest to dead” at three AM (59). Through the use of second person, the author escalates the anticipation of those who awaken at this hour. While his pathos entrances the reader, Bradbury juxtaposes the anxiety of the elder generation to the excitement of their children, who await the night’s wonders. The author additionally describes a night time ritual for Jim and Will by using this stylistic choice: whenever one boy plays a certain tune on an old board, “you could tell the… venture” (94). By using the boyish diction of “venture,” Bradbury creates an elated tone. He again produces pathos through the pronoun “you” and this elation, a relatable emotion for those who have pursued the night. Overall, the author’s ability to smoothly transition from third to second person not only effectively communicates the novel’s main themes, but it also expresses to young boys the fun of exploration. I believe that those who look down on the use of this technique will see intricacy it adds to the developing lives of Will and Jim.  Bradbury intends to win over these skeptical readers by placing them in the boys' “ventures,” which the lads will never forget.

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.