Teachers Are Human Too...

Right off the bat, I am sickened by this scene with Caroni and Brother Leon.  I see myself in Caroni - his desire to be a teacher - his complete admiration of teachers.  "He'd always worshipped his teachers, had thought of becoming a teacher himself someday if he could overcome his shyness."  Teachers aren't meant to be rude; aren't meant to blackmail, but Brother Leon... My blood boils over this scene.  In fact, I think this is the most emotional scene of the book to date.  Brother Leon claims, "One thing students don't always realize, David... is that teachers are human too.  Human like other people."  Leon tries to come across as apologetic and kind, but deep down you can feel his mind at work.  Caroni had placed his teachers on a pedestal, but Leon shatters it.  His vision of teachers has changed which destroys Caroni's innocence.  Caroni's trust in the world, his trust in education, his trust in himself and his future are shattered.  Writing this now almost brings me to tears.

"No.  I'm not going to sell the chocolates." "Cities fell. Earth opened. Planets tilted. Stars plummeted.  And the awful silence." Jerry's small decision is capable of so many things.

When it comes to Jerry's locker the first thing that jumps out at me is the saying itself, "Do I dare disturb the universe?"  It is obvious that this is symbolic of Jerry's decision to upset the order of Trinity.  I find the more interesting aspects to be circulating around the poster.  First, the way he picks it makes you think, is Jerry really ready to do this?  Jerry confesses that, "Jerry wasn't sure of the poster's meaning, but it moved him mysteriously.  It was traditional at Trinity for everyone to decorate the interior of his locker with a poster.  Jerry chose this one."  I want to know what has changed in Jerry?  He began the school year completely willing to go along with the flow; to do what he is supposed to without questioning.  But, something has changed now.  When the chocolate sale comes along, something has inspired him.  Is it the fear of becoming his father?  Is it a coping stage after the loss of his mother?  Is it a maturation element developing with his desire for female companionship and love?

One of the other things that had bothered me with the poster, was the fact that Jerry couldn't make the connection between himself and the saying, "Do I dare disturb the universe?"  It wasn't a mind-blowing comment, but something he was not ready to recognize except merely subconsciously.  I am glad to see (about 30 pages later) that Jerry recognizes the connection he has with the poster he has chosen.  "Do I dare disturb the universe? Yes, I do, I do.  I think."  Although, his response still offers the opinion that he is not ready for the role he has decided to take.  Perhaps he should have waited on the chocolates and picked a later battle.