Caring too much
In the chapter “Spooks”, Jason defies the orders of the Spooks to help Dean. Despite having just become a member of a group he had longed to be in, he ignores their instructions knowing it will get him kicked out of the group. This is especially surprising due to Jason’s poor ability to break rules and deal with confrontation at the beginning of the story. His fear of confrontation can be observed by Jason’s hesitation to enter his Dad’s office, just to answer the telephone. At the beginning of the novel, when making the decision to break a rule or defy orders Jason clearly weighs the consequences of his actions. Before walking into the office to pick up the phone Jason justifies it by thinking it may be an emergency, “But the phone’d rung twenty-five times. Normal people give up after ten or eleven unless it’s a matter of life or death”.
Jason explains that he is not meant to be a member of the Spooks because he “cares too much”. Jason cares too much about Dean’s safety to abandon him, even though it means losing his place in the Spooks. He also cares too much about the possible emergency on the phone that he ignores his dad’s rule. Jason continues to have similar internal debates that consider the outcomes of his actions before he makes decisions. Jason also continues to care strongly about others throughout the rest of the novel, even his enemies.
After finding Ross Wilcox’s wallet at the fair, Jason initially has no intention of giving it back. However, after learning about the consequences Ross would face if he did not get the wallet back, he returns the wallet. This shows that Jason’s trait of caring too much is not just extended to his friends, like Dean. He extends his care to even his worst enemy, Ross Wilcox. This scene is yet another example of how, when faced with a decision, Jason considers the good of others over his own personal gain, and has much debate about the outcomes that will result from his actions.
There seems to be a drastic change in Jason’s decision process towards the end of the novel. The chapter “Disco” begins with Jason’s new rule for himself, “Blank out the consequences”. This is a different approach than Jason normally takes and it results in a dangerous and bold move by Jason. However, by ignoring the consequences and smashing the calculator, Jason is able to stand up for himself and others and make the change that he set out to do. Despite ignoring the consequences, Jason still acts out of his care for others. Though this time, he also does it for his own good as well. This change in attitude shows Jason’s development in his ability to stand up for himself while still acting for the good of others.
Great Post! I totally agree with your thinking and think that Jason's changes throughout the book in that regard. Jason at first thinks of the others and the consequences but then at the end with the calculator scene, he is able to blank out the consequences which is quite a change. Jason seems like he wants to seek personal gain at first but then every time he can he chooses to help the other person or seek their gain. I think that Jason change in attitude goes with his growing up and coming of age progression.
ReplyDeleteThe idea of "caring too much" in itself is interesting. Jason largely models this idea of "caring too much" under a negative notion, because he believes that blocking out the fear of what other people think and ignoring the consequences of breaking the rules will give him more freedom. He admires Pluto Nowak's for defending his girlfriend against a teacher by keying the teacher's car. In a way, Pluto was the definition of not caring about consequences or authority: he keys the car seemingly without a second thought. On the other hand, his action could be conceived as a caring a significant amount, because someone who didn't care wouldn't have actually done anything at all. There is some kind of balance between standing up for the right thing and and the people you care about, while simultaneously being able to block out the rules.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree with the point you're making about Jason extending his care to those other than his friends. I can't say I was surprised to see him give the wallet back, but it makes sense why he did. I don't think Jason cares too much, in fact, I think he cares the right amount. However, when I step into Jason's shoes, I see why Jason thinks he does.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree that Jason has grown to be more confrontational, or at least stand up for himself more than the Jason at the beginning of the book. I think Jason's idea of confrontation has always stemmed from being able to talk back to someone like Julia. But over the story, Jason finds new ways to rebel against the people he thinks are wrong. Like how he rebels against the spooks and Neil Brose.
ReplyDeleteThis trait of "caring too much" was prolly my favorite piece of Jason and I think it grew really nicely throughout the story. I enjoyed watching it grow from a way for Jason to improve his own social standing to a skill that came from a genuine place of kindness. Like you mentioned, it's very satisfying watching him harness his caring nature and being able to briefly shut it off to fend for himself when he breaks the calculator. Nice post
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting because sometimes Jason "caring too much" can be both to his detriment and a step on his way in his coming-of-age development. For example, caring too much about the social hierarchy prevents Jason from revealing his real self, but I think when Jason went back for Dean in the chapter, Spooks, was one of the times where Jason "caring too much" was also his way of sticking with his real morals rather than just following the popular group. I liked post! :)
ReplyDeleteI agree a lot with your post. I think Jason caring too much led to a lot of the harassment he received from the bullies at his school since they could sense that the social hierarchy was important to him, in contrast with someone like Dean. This is also why I think he admires Pluto despite all of the stories making him seem a little bit rambunctious.
ReplyDeleteGreat post! Jason standing up for himself was well overdue at this point and pretty satisfying for readers. I like how this also doesn't demolish his theme for caring too much for others too, in a way, this also seems like Jason accepting himself for who he is and that it's okay to care too much for others. I would be interested in seeing how this changes him after he moves and goes to a new school.
ReplyDeleteThis is a really important part of Jason's character that you bring up, as it plays such a large role in his social development. Though he tries really hard to analyze the dynamics in his school and town and endeavors to fit in, because he "cares too much," he's always a bit on the outs. And that's another thing--he also just "cares too much" about his social environment. While his friend Dean brushes off the pretty constant bullying he faces, it consumes Jason when he faces that ostracization himself. He's only able to find happiness-or at least a bit of contentment-when he starts caring less about what others think of him. Great post!
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