Allison does one thing (plan a prison escape) which would seem “out of character” to almost everyone who knows her; indeed, they would be shocked. James acts similarly “out of character” when he shoots Black Snake. Are these actions indeed out of character, or are they in fact consistent with the characters of Allison and James?
Yes and no. James’s shooting Snake was driven by such a deep personal anger against Snake for all those years of bullying so even though he is inherently a gentle person, something snapped (and as I wrote earlier, I felt I would have done the same in that moment). So while an out-of-character moment, underlying anger can change us. As for Allison, being the great problem solver she was this was it was very much in character to do this, what was out of character is her going against the rules which I think as I know I did that rules had just given James a poor answer.
I think both actions were out of character. A rare situation for James, like Black Snake killing Spike, unleashed a response that he probably never would have taken in any other situation. For Allison, she had a strong need to make something right, especially after she felt she did not fight hard enough for her student that was dismissed from the school. I imagine that quite a few crimes were committed by people who never would have committed them in any other situation.
I believe James’ actions were out of character. There were plenty of times when he could have turned to violence, but he never did until he was pushed to his breaking point. Even then, he admitted that he wouldn’t have done anything if Black Snake had only shot his dog. What pushed him over the edge was Black Snake laughing at his dog after it defecated. That moment seemed to make James finally snap.
I don’t think Allison’s actions were out of character. She has always had a strong desire to help people and a determination to figure things out. After hearing James’ story and believing he deserved her help, I wasn’t surprised that she was willing to go as far as planning his escape.
1 Like
They each struggled with their circumstances; James with his lot in life and feeling cowardly up against his bully. He finally stood up to him, however unfortunately in a violet way and he was caught. Allison with her sexuality and worried about being accepted. She came to terms with her true self, found her true calling which set her free. The she was able to set James free.
No I do not, James worked hard at staying out of trouble. He had a friend in Spike. Snake never gave up, constantly egging him on. He simply was backed into a corner and it happened.
As for Allison, she had a strong need to make things right and when she failed her student, she was determined to never do that again. So when James came into her life, she felt a need to figure things out. I also think her love of math and Nancy Drew made it easier for her to do so.
The author’s characterization of Allison and James made their actions believable.
I think their actions are not surprising. Allison is a problem solver that wants to help people. James loves his dog so much that his brutal death caused him to kill Black Snake. James is familiar with gangs and survival in a bad street environment so killing Black Snake is his only option.
NanK, I agree. It was understandable what James and Allison ultimately did. The author gave us enough information about both, that it seemed truthful and believable.
I thought both were out of character. James seemed to do his best to stay out of trouble, even though he was surrounded by trouble! Allison also seemed to always do the right thing, I was shocked by that twist!! I felt it was the right thing and the wrong this all at the same time!!
Yes I felt exactly the same especially when James was denied parole which was wrong and handled poorly by the parole board.