English Notes
October 28, 2015
Journal #5 Discuss the significance of the passage from 212-214 as it relates to the themes of lies,
storytelling, and identity. What do you think of Jack’s actions? What does it say about him? What’s
motivating him?










Through writing his own letters of recommendation, Jack wants honor and recognition
Jack only gets recognition from being a delinquent—through negative means
He sees his own face—and writes himself into existence
He knows that his letters will be received by a school that will form a new identity about him
Jack is manipulative—he can manipulate people to believe he is telling the truth (connect to
check forging scene)
Jack is a good writer—forging his letters of recommendation connects to him forging a new
identity and later becoming a memoir writer
When you tell a story about yourself, what v ersion of that story do you tell? Consider how Jack
really wants others to see him (as good, an academic) rather than how he has shaped himself (as
a delinquent, thief).
Fiction is a convincing lie. Consider how Jack convinces others through writing his
recommendation, telling lies.
Jack needs to lie about himself in order to deal with his insecurity. He is motivated to get out of
Chinook and get away from Dwight. He wants his brother and father back in his life and wants
his family back together again.
Transforming his identity is essential if Jack wants to succeed. If he wants to go to a prep school
and get into college, have a better future, he must write these letters and re-write his history.
Identity:







Name change from Toby to Jack after Jack London/name change for Hill
sense of adventure
sense of self-reliance
Jack receiving the Winchester rifle (page 23)—starts his fantasy life, becomes passionate about
the gun, dresses up in an army uniform, feels powerful, when Sister James comes to the door he
realizes he is a scared boy, not a powerful sniper
Weakness to Power
Jack in his new clothes (275-276) feels important, significant, a young man of consequence
Jack as a Boy scout/check cashing scheme (193-194)—juvenile delinquent vs. upstanding citizen
Jack and Mr. Howard—Mr. Howard sees him as a good boy, Boy Scout, but Jack is a delinquent
Boys act like men when they are sexually explicit when watching the Mickey Mouse Club
television show
Jack defining himself against Dwight (134)—times Jack feels like he is becoming Dwight (scene
when he drives Dwight’s car drunk)

Jack has inflated view of his biological father, Duke—follows in his father’s footsteps, sense of
exaggeration, sense of self-importance
What does the book say about identity? People can change their identity based on the situation they
are in. Connect this to the epigram about assuming a pose. Identity is an act, but the act can shape who
you become. Jack is dealing with insecurity and weakness—he takes on powerful identities to escape
his insecurity, instability, and weakness (like the boys who idolize the Nazis—they envy power).
What we show the world may be temporary, but certain aspects of us do not change