Theme Of Long Way Down By Jason Reynolds

One might want to read this novel, to see what makes an average man want to kill and to also see their psychological being leading up to it. This creates a mystery in the eyes of the reader to see why they did such a horrendous crime. The author’s purpose for writing this novel was to give the reader a different perspective on criminals. Capote uses a sympathetic tone when he talks about the histories of the criminals. He creates an emotional connection between the reader and the criminals because Capote allows the reader to get to know the criminal’s pasts, telling of the hardships the criminals have faced throughout their lives.

It becomes evident to Will that following in Shawn’s footsteps could have negative implications. The object that Will uses as a reminder of his brother shows Shawn’s flaws, “I wrapped my fingers [around the gun] / placing them over Shawn’s / little brother holding big brother’s hand” (Reynold 64). The relationship between the gun with both brothers and the brothers’ relationship to one another is made evident with Will’s actions. Will covering Shawn’s fingerprints with his own symbolizes his lack of preparedness to carry out the plan. Due to the fact that the gun brings back dreadful memories of an imperfect Shawn; Will decides not to follow his brother's path in an effort to end the cycle of violence that has perpetuated in his family.

The intriguing novel Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds is not just a long poem, but a child in pain. In this story, now and only child Will is forced to live life without his brother and decide on whether or not to avenge his brother. This thought provoking novel challenges readers to decide on whether or not the author is mad. With interesting characters alive and dead in a complex yet easy to understand plot line. A hair raising poem for those who cannot handle the hurdles in life.

This also relates to Bergmann’s quote in the beginning of this essay, as this ongoing drug trade changes how the young people in the society view the length of natural life and timely death. Gun violence directly cuts off the future life and aspirations for the criminal and the victim, as one’s life is cut short by death while the other’s is cut short by life in jail. This endemic gun violence and the early deaths and prison sentences create a scenario where as Bergmann describes “there are few living models of the drug-hustling adult to which young drug dealers turn in Detroit.” This is also present in Dude’s own life as his own brother’s life is cut short by his life long prison sentence as a direct cause of the drug trade. This instead causes him to take part in this same trade.

In the beginning of the story, we learn that Will’s brother has just been killed. In order to get revenge, he takes a gun to go kill the man he believes killed his brother. He gets in an elevator and begins to ride it down. Throughout the ride, people who have died in his life begin to join the ride on every floor, including his father and his brother. They talk to him and explain their stories of death, revenge and loss.

Hence, this scene is filled with both violence and trauma but clearly shows how Stevenson is contributing his time to end the problem of neglect and dehumanization in

Throughout the novel, the author creates the mood of fear, anger, and being powerless through the protagonists, Darrell and his conflict with the antagonists, Tyray. In chapter five,” langan show how Tyray whipped out a knife and held it up to Darrell’s face, then Darrell thought he’s gonna kill me right there. This is the end. I’ve been in California for three days, and I’m gonna die on the street” (67).

The demonstration of the narrator's imagination unconsciously leads his own thoughts to grow into a chaotic mess that ultimately ends in a death. By murdering, it’s his own way of finding peace. He is portrayed as being a sadist, sick man with an unnatural obsession for

He applies the logic of facts to the situation to make the reader agree with his viewpoint because it is hard to argue with facts. He also clarifies saying, “Most men will never turn violent. Most men will turn out fine. Most will learn to navigate the deep waters of their feelings without ever engaging in any form of destruction. Most will grow up to be kind.

The novel has two themes displayed through the novel. One theme is to never give up. Another theme is when an individual is scared to do something they can overcome

The Rules./ (Reynolds 30).” This vivid imagery shows the emotional stress and internal conflict that Will is facing. I like when Reynolds describes “tiny fists punching the back of my eyes” because

The theme of Jason Reynold’s novel “Long Way Down” is that the continual repeating of mistakes and the repetitive nature of violence, shootings, and deaths in Will’s neighborhood must come to an end. It is the rules of the neighborhood that drive this horrible cycle of revenge and continue to destroy the living. The rules are no crying, no snitching, and revenge. The first rule, no crying, implies that one should not cry regardless of how challenging or sad the situation is. As for the second rule, no snitching means you won't inform the police or anyone else about anything you hear or see what’s wrong.

Maybe that’ll change in Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds. A character named Will would have to make a decision if he wanted to stop the circle of violence in his neighborhood, or get revenge for his dead brother Shawn. Will would stop the circle of violence after interactions with his dead relatives, encouraging him that it’s not the right thing to do and he will only hurt more people. Will realizes the fear and consequence behind rule number three. He also doesn’t want to let anyone down, especially his

Ender, the main character, is forced to grapple with morally challenging situations, such as the use of violence for the greater good. As a ten-year-old, Ender faces immense pressure to win battles and protect humanity, often at the cost of sacrificing his own morals. This dilemma prompts readers to question the limits of moral responsibility and the ethical implications of Ender's actions.

Even though his brother was too deep into drug and gang culture to escape, “[he] wanted Wes to be nothing like him” (72). Yet, Wes was consumed by the, “… same game that had consumed [his brother] and put a bullet or two in him,” and had never known anything in his family outside of drugs and gang violence, so drugs and gangs were the only expectation Wes had, the only place he saw himself fitting into (58). Ultimately, the expectations of those