One might say that our inborn character starts us on a path that is evident when we are young. Allison likes solving problems, and James wants to be like George Washington Carver. But outside forces can divert us from our inborn destiny. What are the crucial moments at which external forces alter the course of the lives of Allison and James?
I think James’s whole life was life-altering as he was Black and in our white obsessed world this put a target on him. But undoubtedly when he shot Snake, this was the moment that changed everything for him. In Allison’s case, when she became aware of she felt for that Olympic athlete was the pivotal moment she knew she was different. In Alison’s case as in James’s both were socially different from the mainstream world.
For James it was the move from a peaceful environment in Sacramento to the crime ridden environment in Oakland. For Allison, I think she always had an inborn destiny but it expanded when she moved from the Midwest to San Francisco.
James’ life was altered when his family was forced to leave a friendly community to the depths of dark, deeply depressed Oakland community. Huge different in how one survived this two different communities. As for Allison, as soon as she left her middle America roots behind and head to Berkley she was able to be her own person.
For Allison, it was her realization she was gay and then telling her parents. The fact, her father made excuses and didn’t admit this was disturbing to her. In James’ case, it was his father’s dying and he had to transition to Oakland’s “gang haven”. Losing his dog, Spike, was traumatic. He lost his furry friend to Black Snake’s gun shots and laughter after. If this had not happened James would not have killed anybody and ended up in prison.
Both Allison and James needed to find their true selves. For James his life drastically changed when his dad died, he moved and then when he killed Snake. For Allison it was realizing she liked women, telling her parents and moving to Beekley.
After reading the comments of this book, I finished it yesterday. I agree with the above comments.