Bad Boys (130-174)

Summary: As the book comes its closing, you start to see Walter develop more and see how he's dreams of becoming a writer are a reality for him now. He doubts himself at times and doesn't know whether or not writing is something that he can actually accomplish successfully. For example, he had seen Langston Hughes once with some White reporters, although he was a writer he seemed like an ordinary person from Harlem.
Walter said that there was nothing extraordinary about him and nothing really lifted him out of the ordinary. This event made Walter disappointed because when he thought of a "writer," he thought of what he saw in school textbooks and expected that Langston Hughes would be more than just a "black man on the street" (Dean,139). However, Walter continued to write, he had stopped going to school for quite a while. Instead he went to Central Park to read and write; he was reading up to 4 books a week and writing non-stop. While writing Walter tried to copy the style of many of his favorite authors; his idea of feedback was by looking right at the author's book. He didn't really let people read his stories; instead he would think about what a certain author would do and catch up to the style and the whole writing process. After a while Walter was caught and returned to school, his mother was very upset but calm about the whole situation. Walter then had to agree to be observed by a social office so that they can make sure that he went to school everyday. Even though he agreed and went to school everyday, he was still stuck in the books and in the writings. He would never look at his homework and teachers would cut him slack by not calling on him because they knew deep inside that he was confident about writing and that he was going to make something out of his talent.


Quote: "The realm of great literature was still far removed from who i was and reinforced the idea that i was at crossroads in my life, with only the lesser path available to me" (Dean,147)
This quote really stuck out because it shows how Walter looks at literature as somewhat of another world. Also how that world was somehow far from what who he was, and at the same time, exaggerated the fact that he was at a crossroad with his life. The only problem was that he wasn't the one choosing; instead it felt like the easy way or the path with less benefits was more available to him. This can e looked at in many ways, based on his race and his status in society; as well as the energy that he receives from his peers and the pressure that he is feeling to just fit in. And just like his look on a "writer" he probably thought that he would not fit into the category, maybe he felt that he wasn't good enough, which is why he might have felt that the easy way out was the only way to go. School also plays a role in this feeling, because he is constantly being put down, because of the kind of surroundings that he is in. Walter simply wants to read and write as well as any author, while the other kids are talking about SAT and scholarships. I don't think that he feels the need to go to school, because he has everything he needs with him. And the fact that he is constantly coming in contact with colleges and scholarships; he might feel that without college or some kind of degree he might not be able to do anything.

Reaction: My reaction to the novel has changed tremendously from the beginning. Now i am more proud of Walter and his accomplishments; he's trying to make it out of a life that he no longer wants to be apart of. He's working hard to break out of the group and stand out. However, the problems with reading.writing in his neighborhood are still apparent  For example, Walter talks about how he did not understand the connection between homosexuality and being called a "faggot." "Faggots" he said were "often pictured, especially in the black community , as speaking with exaggerated precision, reciting poetry and listening to classical music. Logically, i knew that loving books and writing did not make me a homosexual, but more and more i hid those interests." (Myers 137). This showed how Walter was still pressured into hiding who he really was and had a hard time distinguishing what people like his "boys" wanted him to be and what he wanted to be himself, which connects to him talking about the crossroads. Even though he was struggling, it was good to see that people still believed in his; teachers would often tell him to continue writing, he also had a new friend Frank, that he was able to discuss all his problems with when it came down to his life. Frank gave a lot of positive energy even though he didn't read or write; somehow even though they had little in common, Walter looked to Frank as a guide. He always looked to him for advice and developed a strong relationship that would and will help Walter accomplish anything.