The friendship that Junior has with Gordy is the one thing that is keeping him from giving up all hope. When he had Rowdy, he had someone to talk to and someone to protect him. Before he became friends with Gordy, he felt invisible. "I was lonely and isolated and terrified"(94). He was all alone in a school where he was already looked down on and bullied by his peers everyday. His friendship with Gordy boosted his self confidence and made him feel better about his life at Reardan and most importantly, himself. "He certainly helped me through school" (98). It took effort from both Gordy and Junior to commit to the friendship at first, but in the end, it benefitted both of them. After they became friends, Junior decided to come out of his shell. Towards the end of the chapter, he became more energetic and outgoing. Him and Gordy were both joking around and seemed very happy together. "Gordy and I laughed"(98). He felt that it was okay to be himself around Gordy. He hadn't felt this way around anyone since Rowdy and it felt good to him. For Junior, having a friend in an unknown place where he's the main target of bullying means a lot. Now that Junior has a friend, he also has someone to protect him and make him feel good about himself which is something that Rowdy used to do.
Do you think that Gordy is going to take the place of Rowdy in Junior's life? Is he going to be that important of an influence? Do you think that Junior's experience at Reardan is going to be greatly affected by Gordy?
I don't think that Gordy will take the spot of Rowdy in Juniors life. Rowdy had been his friend for so many years and they had so much in common and he protected him and helped him through all of Juniors trouble. He was like a part of family to Junior. Junior just met Gordy, and he is weird but I can tell that he will never take the place of Rowdy because Junior had to ask him to be friends. You should know a good friend right from the start. Don't get me wrong, they will probably end up being great friends and having a great relationship throughout school life, but outside of school, when things get serious and personal, that's where Gordy can never replace a person like Rowdy. It's sad to know that he left.
ReplyDeleteI agree with him, Gordy won't replace Rowdy in Junior's life. Rowdy and Junior used to be able to talk about anything, but right now Junior and Gordy don't have that kind of relationship. They don't tell each everything. Gordy and Rowdy also have very different personalities. Rowdy is tough, aggressive, and is always ready to fight. Gordy is super smart, focused, logical, and not very strong (physically). I also think that Gordy will be and important influence on Junior. Gordy has already kind of been an important influence on Junior because kept Junior hoping and continue to try to make friends.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Alex. Rowdy and Junior have been friends for fourteen years, and because of this, Gordy obviously has large shoes to fill. The fact that Rowdy and Junior were born on the same day is also significant. When you meet someone and they happen to have the same birthday as you, you seem to, or at least I have an inclination to be friendly because of this initial connection, something that Gordy is lacking. In addition to this, Rowdy has spent every day, and 40,880 hours specifically with Arnold, a time range that even Arnold said no one had reached or would reached. Though Gordy will never be the same as Rowdy, I think that this is an intellectual friendship as opposed to a protection friendship which will help him in school. The true difference and choices are being smarter with Gordy, or not getting beat up with Rowdy. Which one would you choose?
ReplyDeleteTo reply to Magnus's question, I personally would have chosen Rowdy. Though, that decision would have had to be made for reasons other than not getting beat up. Arnold said, in reference to Gordy,"we did become friends. Not the best of friends. Not like Rowdy and me." (94). Gordy was the guy who helped Arnold navigate Reardan, but Rowdy was the guy who helped Arnold through life. That kind of friendship is once in a lifetime. My question is what would be more important to you? The ability to get ahead in life or keep the friend who you know is irreplaceable?
ReplyDeleteIn response to Mia's comment, I would rather have the choice to get ahead in life. If you have one friend forever, then you could get annoyed of that person if you spend to much time with them. Having the ability to make new friends and move on in life is something that everyone needs. Especially when you get to college and even further, you'll most likely get separated from that one person. If you can't make new friends then you'll be a lonely soul with no friends for the rest of your life.
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