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Emotions In The Novel 'A Long Way Down'

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Emotions are a big aspect of people's lives. They reflect past decisions, and more importantly future decisions that affect daily lives. In the novel, “ A Long Way Down,” written by Jason Reynolds, a 15-year-old boy, Will, is faced with the choice to kill his brother's murderer and follow the rules of the street, a decision that is complicated by his conflicting emotions around Shawn’s passing and the pressure to follow the rules. Will’s brother, Shawn, was responsible for taking care of him as they were growing up. This responsibility disappeared when he was shot. His passing influences Will to find who killed Shawn and motivates him to get revenge for his brother’s murderer. “The middle drawer called to me/its awkward off-centeredness/ …show more content…

And when I was thirteen/ Shaw welcomed me into teenage life/ with spirits of his almost-grown cologne,/ Said my girlfriend/ my first girlfriend/ would like it./But she hated it/ so I broke up with her/ because/ to me/ her nose was/ acting funny, (44). Will’s memory of Shaw accepting WIll as a teenager felt like Shawn was teaching him the fundamentals of teenagehood. The role of responsibility to teach …show more content…

Will’s motivation becomes his biggest obstacle and controls him after the death of his brother. This vengeance consumes and impacts the choice he makes throughout the story. “Then Dani asked/ what/ if/ you/ miss?” (142). The fixation on avenging Shawn’s death makes him not realize the consequences of missing the shot and being in even more trouble. Will struggles with being able to process the grief; and heal from the loss. “What you need/ a gun for?/ My face/ tightened/ hardened/ They killed Shawn last night./ Who Killed Shawn? / Should you already know? / Just tell me who killed him WIll/” The Darksuns. Do you remember/Riggs, used to live around here?/ Think it was him. Had to be?/ Had/ to/ be,” (139-140). Will neglects the emotional turmoil he’s experiencing and refuses to better address coping mechanisms; with the new points of view about anger, and revenge. The emotions that Will face throughout the story play a significant role in his choices and decision-making. Fear, guilt, and anger influence his choices as he enters a state of grief; and lead him to have

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