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Societal Pressures In Long Way Down

1012 Words5 Pages

Society seems to be set by invisible rules that are considered acceptable. “Acceptable” actually translates to required, as there is so much pressure on every individual in one way or another. In Jason’s Reynolds’ book, Long Way Down, the main character, Will Holloman, experiences this same type of pressure with his community's own set of rules. He was taught from a young age to subside to “The Rules” which are no crying, no snitching, and get revenge, which causes Will to go through a cycle of overwhelming stress from the pressure. Similarly, as a teenage girl in our society today, I too feel that I must abide by an unnecessary set of rules and requirements in order to be deemed acceptable and wanted. Societal pressures such as unrealistic beauty standards fetter teen girls and women …show more content…

Throughout Long Way Down, a common topic mentioned was “The Rules.” These rules were no crying, no snitching, and getting revenge. As a matter of fact, these rules dictated many of Will and his family members’ actions. Reynolds did a great job on showing the pressure and emotional stress Will feels from the expectations of male toughness, especially growing up in a bad neighborhood. Will expresses, “I FELT LIKE CRYING/ which felt like/ another person/ trapped behind my face/ tiny fists punching/ the backs of my eyes/ feet kicking/ my throat at the spot/ where the swallow/ starts./ Stay put, I whispered to him,/ Stay strong, I whispered to me./ Because crying/ is against/ 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

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