When I first was reading Black Swan Green I thought the narrator was about my age. I don't know if it was the way he was spoke, the things he did, or simply that I was projecting myself onto him, but I was quite shocked to figure out that he had only just turned thirteen. Going back and reading the first chapter knowing that he is thirteen, I can see many things that should have tipped me off: bounding down the stairs, being challenged to a race to the lake (otherwise he would be a spaz), or aspiring to be like Nick Yew.
In "Hangman" we learn more about Jason's stammer, and the struggles he goes through to try to hide it. His friends and teachers don't understand the severity of his stammer (I don't know about you, but Mr. Inkberrow's sassy comment made me want to punch him), and that his stammer doesn't always come out in normal conversation. Jason also has learned how to modify sentences to avoid using N- and S- words. This may be one reason why I initially thought Jason was about 16 or 17. He has a wide vocabulary, and he knows how to use it.
It'll be interesting to see how Jason's struggles with his stammer play out, and if he accidentally lets a fancy word slip in front of his friends.
I also think this chapter opened my eyes a little, since we are getting to hear first hand how Jason feels about his stammer and the lengths he'll go to avoid using "hangman" words. This chapter made me realize that everyone is fighting their own battles, even if they aren't that apparent.
After reading chapter two, while not having read Black Swan Green before, I'm beginning to assume that at some point, Jason's school mates are going to learn about his stammer. If/ when that happens, it will be interesting to see how they will actually react compared to how he believes they will react.
ReplyDeleteI would say that the Jason that's being presented to us is a Jason almost completely and entirely free of restrictions, which allows him to say what he wants, which in itself makes him older/more mature. I've really liked the Jason that narrates so far, but I'm not sure how well I'd get along with the Jason that's presented to the world. But that said, maybe we could talk about Star Wars
ReplyDeleteI agree. I thought Jason was my age when I started reading. He seems to have a lot of intellectual depth for a middle schooler. I definitely think "hangman" has enlightened him in some ways and contributed to how he sounds older than he actually is. "Hangman" also shows us as the readers what Jason's priorities are. For example, he values his social status over seeming intelligent in front of his teacher.
ReplyDeleteYeah I think the fact that Jason has been struggling with his stammer and the fact that he tries to hide it has made him appear to be more mature. His need to avoid certain words has caused him to acquire a great vocabulary, that he may not be able to use in front of his peers for sake of appearing "too smart." He can however use his vocabulary in his narration and in his poems.
ReplyDeleteIt's funny that you thought that he was older, because it seemed to me that he seemed younger than thirteen. That being said though, I don't really remember being thirteen all that well, so perhaps I did think of things like that. I feel as though Jason is much more timid than some thirteen year old boys are, so maybe that's what threw me off.
ReplyDeleteI think it's interesting how there are seemingly two sides that he must balance in order to maintain his social life. He must learn new vocabulary to avoid stammering however he must also limit his use of certain new vocabulary words since those will also lead down the same path as stammering.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree. I also did not realize that Jason was only 13 when I first started reading this novel, althought I knew he had to be younger than us (because of Julia). I think it will be interesting to watch things unfold involving hangman and how he will handle himself in other situations because of his struggles with hangman.
ReplyDeleteI think Jason is walking a fine line on his vocabulary while he is out with his friends. Since he reads dictionaries so that he can get around his stammer, he has a much wider vocabulary as you said. But if he uses it too much, he'll commit social suicide as the nerd, and if he uses it too little, he'll commit social suicide as the stammerer. I guess all I can really say is good luck to him later in the novel.
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