Something that I found especially interesting throughout this novel was the importance of parental figures. This is a theme that becomes extremely evident through the juxtaposition between the strong parental figures and Leonie’s parenting. Although Jojo does not have a present mother or father, Pop and Mam take over this role and raise their grandson. Pop is shown from the beginning as a distant, yet considerate, man who after Mam got sick, was the only adult figure that Jojo had to look up to. Although Jojo is a young boy, he is seen as a parental figure by his little sister Kayla. As such a young child, when she is upset, she asks for her older brother instead of her mother. “We wrestle like this as she stands and sits and bends backward and writhes and says two words, over and over again. “No. Jojo.” I’ve had enough. “Goddamnit Michaela! Can you get her to drink some of this?” I ask. Jojo nods, and I'm already handing her over. Without her, my arms feel weightless” (Ward, 100). Leonie is an absent parent who spends a majority of her time getting high, neglecting her duties as a mother, and solely wishing she were with Michael. As Jojo has grown older and understands that Pop is more of a model parent than his own mother, he raises his sister as his own, although he is still a child himself. Pop loves to spend his time with Jojo telling him stories about his life, specifically his time in Parchman where he met a kid named Richie. Although Pop was just a boy, Richie was 12 years old and was unequipped for the lifestyle of Parchman where he was whipped, abused, and treated horribly. Pop helped him take care of his wounds as if he was his father. “”I touched his narrow back, pushed one of the cuts to see if pus would come out, trying to see if it was infected, if that's why he was sick with fever and chills, but it oozed a little clear and that's it”” (Ward, 126). While Richie and Pop were only just children, the role of parenthood is evident through their interactions in Parchman.
As seen through both Pop’s relationships with both Jojo and Richie, and Jojo’s interactions with Kayla, parenthood is seen as an overarching theme. When compared to the way Leonie treats both of her children and her significant lack of parental guidance, the value of strong role models in life is exaggerated. It is evident that sometimes biological parents are not the only ones who can play a parental role in a person’s life. Without the support of Pop, as well as Jojo, there would not have been any positive role models in their lives to follow.
I also found the use of juxtaposition while describing parental figures very compelling in this novel. In addition, this juxtaposition is used to highlight the child figures within the novel. While Kayla is sick in the car, Jojo takes care of her with ease. In the same moment, Leonie exclaims, "I'm tired of this shit" (Ward 98). Even though Leonie had not taken care of Kayla, she still felt overwhelmed. Leonie admits that she is jealous that Kayla find comfort in Jojo (Ward 99). This is not motherly at all. A mother would find comfort if her child were to be soothed. Yet, Leonie is quick with her temper and resentful. She puts herself first while Jojo consistently puts himself last.
ReplyDeleteThis theme is reinforced when Mam dies. Leonie and Michael are further consumed by drugs, and they give up on all parental responsibilities. Leonie admits, "I can't be a mother right now, I can't be a daughter" (Ward 274). In this moment, she gives up on her family, and she does not care if they need her. She only cares about her feeling and feeding her addiction. In the final moments of the book, Leonie has given up. This makes me think, would the family's lives been different if she would have given up sooner?
I think your point about the exaggerating of parental figures due to contrast is very interesting. I didn’t think about how giving the bad examples of parenting from Leonie and Michael (if you can even call it parenting) make Pop (and Mam) seem so much better in contrast. And the point you bring up about Jojo’s parental nature towards Kayla. We see Jojo grow so much throughout the book, but I think his status as somewhat of a parental figure is overlooked. After Michael beats Kayla on page 228, it’s Jojo apologizing like he’s the one who hit her (Ward). He has to be the one to calm her down, to sooth her, to make sure the beatings stop like a real parent. We don’t see Leonie display this parently spirit to Kayla; it’s all Jojo.
ReplyDeleteThe background and context into Riv’s life we’re given throughout the novel really plays into his parental nature. When talking about Richie, it’s not so much a friend type talk but more of a mentor/parent relationship. When he talks about what they were going to do with Richie when they found them, he says “he was nothing but a boy, Jojo” (255). Even though this was a small line, I think the way he says it displays his fatherly bond. Not only does he take care of Richie’s wounds at Parchman, he also shows his fondness years later.