Free topic Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Free topic - Essay Example Following the riotous exploits of Brain and Gretchen, Joe’s work of fiction on this book courageously pursues the truth in discovering what it means to develop each person’s own identity. Both are trying as much as they could to find their way through the numerous complex threats that characterize the high school experience for many kids. On this book, Joe Meno does make some interesting argument. He conveys his knowledge and love of punk-rock music. This is vital for any individual writing within the indie rock novel type which is widely revealed in the book. And between this and the narrator, Brian Oswald, a total freak who is a school dropout who cusses the way too much and litters every 3rd sentence with ‘I guess’ or ‘maybe’, you will discover the true nature of a misguided American adolescent. A misguided American adolescent is characterized with music, getting high, avoiding depressed parents and trying to get laid, who at age fifty find themselves just as desperately misguided about life as these adolescent? As quoted by Joe Meno. He explores Brian’s emotional ambiguity and his heartrending youthful search for meaning, both in his on-again and music, off-again situation with Gretchen; his gabby, genuine and completely realistic take on adolescence strikes a winning chord. In the book, the issue of teenage violence is dealt with- brain’s occasional bouts of anger and destruction seem very real as compared to Gretchen’s fights which are characterized by certain slapstick quality (Meno, 46). Brain’s character in the book is revealed as sympathetic narrator and a prime example of awkward adolescence, even if he does not have much of a plot built around him. This paper tries to analyze the concept of the book and try to explain how an educator can utilize the book in trying to help a needy (in terms of character) adolescent student. The book captures the meaning of adolescence and that all go es along with conceptions such as finding the identity, awkwardness, puberty, first crushes and the constant power struggle that ever exist between teens and parents. Music is a common theme throughout the novel that ties Brian’s identity all together. Brain’s choice for music is changed throughout the story. He starts by liking punk music, then proceeds to Rod’s Baker Albums and finally fall in love with Mike’s Pink Floyd tapes. Brian’s identity changes depending on the type of music he is listening to. His main worry if about fitting as opposed to having his own voice and accepting who he is. However, Brian grow and develop as the novel progress, his identity develop as well as his perception about life. By the end of the novel, he realizes that there is nothing good than being yourself. There are numerous lessons learned in high school that exceed the common knowledge about grammar, memorizing constitutional amendments, and how to standout withi n one’s clique. Meno reminds us of this honest brutal fact. The novel is fun, memorable, witty and at times delicately philosophical. It appeals to the younger crowd and especially high school teenagers. The book is a hodgepodge of so many different elements; it’s truly a hives and peripatetic as the mind of a teenager. Brian’s character in the book is a representation of a complacent aimlessness teenager (Meno, 89). The drastic change in