Irvine Welsh’s novel Trainspotting centres on Mark Renton and his group of friends, who are drug addicts living in 1980s Scotland, and follows their misadventures as their lives begin to deteriorate. While the detrimental effects of heroin and other drugs are clearly displayed, the negative effects of their unhealthy friendships are less obvious but equally toxic. Friendship in Trainspotting is a destructive force because it is corrupted by selfishness; it becomes an addiction which mirrors that of drug abuse. For the characters in Trainspotting, the positive aspects of their friendships have been lost and replaced by drug use. Renton, Sick Boy, Spud, and Begbie have been friends a long time, having gone to school together. They once liked, …show more content…
None of Begbie’s friends actually like him, no does he appreciate any of them; the friendships are phony and only exist for selfish purposes. His friends use Begbie for protection and status, as Begbie has a reputation for being tough. Renton describes the lies he and his friends create to justify and glorify Begbie’s extreme violence as “just another way of building Begbie’s status as somebody not to mess with, and their own, indirectly, through their association with him.” (Welsh, 430) They remain "friends" with Begbie solely for personal benefit. Begbie, in turn, uses his friends to gain power by taking advantage of their fear of him. Renton says “Begbie’s sense ay humour is solely activated at the misfortunes, setbacks, and weaknesses ay others, usually his friends,” (Welsh, 106) which shows that Begbie takes pleasure from having power over others and feels no empathy for his friends. Similarly, the stories his friends make up to elevate his status boost Begbie’s ego. Therefore, the relationship between Begbie and his friends is mutually beneficial but lacks the empathy and respect which would characterize it as real …show more content…
There is a gang mentality within the group, which preaches that they never betray their friends, despite the fact that each individual only cares about his own well-being. This rule is enforced by those with power over the group, who personally benefit from keeping their group together. This includes Begbie and the White Swan, their heroin dealer, who declares “The White Swan disnae fuck ower his mates. Golden rule number one.” (Welsh, 391) As a result, this friendship, like drug addiction, is difficult to escape. For example, Begbie becomes furious when Sick Boy does return from France for their friend Matty’s funeral, shouting “Fucking Sick Boy should’ve been here! Matty wis his fuckin mate.” (Welsh, 370) Begbie’s hold on the group makes it impossible to leave because it might provoke him to punish them. The group is also difficult to quit because of the addictive power it offers. Renton says “Begbie is like junk, a habit,” (Welsh, 107) referring to the power which Begbie’s, and in fact the whole group’s, tough status provides. Yet, like drugs, these unhealthy friendships have destructive effects. Surrounded by friends who indulge in drug abuse and crime, it is almost impossible for the characters to prevent themselves from following suit. This group effect is best seen in the character of Spud, as Renton
Abuse is a subject that should be considered important. There are about 960,000 abuse incidents reported annually. 85% of them are reported by women. The resting 15% are reported by men. In Fried Green Tomatoes, abuse is a recurring part of the book, Fannie Flagg does an admirable job in describing in detail the abuse incidents that happen throughout the book. Ruth is a character that receives abuse from her husband, she believes she deserves everything he does to her, even push her down the stairs. She finally takes the decision to escape from the abusive relationship she is in when her near death mother advices her to. Along the way characters develop some effects caused by abuse. People who suffer from abuse may develop fear, low self-esteem, or strength.
The ways women are presented in Northanger Abbey are through the characters of Catherine Morland, Isabella Thorpe, Eleanor Tilney, Mrs Allen, and the mothers of the Morland and Thorpe family, who are the main female characters within this novel. I will be seeing how they are presented through their personalities, character analysis, and the development of the character though out the novel. I will be finding and deciphering scenes, conversations and character description and backing up with quotes to show how Austen has presented women in her novel Northanger Abbey.
In the novel Orphan Train, by Christina Baker Kline, we witness a relationship develop between Molly, a seventeen year old in the foster care system, and Vivian, a ninety-one year old widow that is looking to clean out her attic. As the book progresses, we see them grow closer through telling stories and bonding over their joint hardships. Kline goes out of her way to illustrate this strengthening friendship through many little hints in the novel to where she is ultimately leading the duo.
Greed also influenced many of the decisions that characters have formulated throughout the book. For example, Jerry Cruncher chose to become a grave digger for the profit gotten from it, which caused many problems in his family. When Jerry Jr. follows his father into the night he witnesses his father committing a horrifying crime that he, “Knew very well knew what it would be; but, when he saw it, and saw his honoured parent about to wrench it open, he was so frightened, being new to the sight, that he made off again, and never stopped until he had run a mile or more” (Dickens 184). Had Jerry not been so acquisitive, he would most likely have chosen not to go into that profession. This would prevent Jerry Jr. from being scarred by his father's bad decisions and possibly decrease Jerry’s drinking due to guilt he has after grave digging. Additionally, when C.J. Stryver proposes to Lucie, his motive for it blossoms from greed. While explaining to Carton why he has decided to do this, Stryver admits, "I don't care about fortune: she is a charming creature, and I have made up my mind to please myself: on the whole, I think I can afford to please myself. She will have in me a man already pretty well off, and a
Lilley exploits satirical devices, in particular The stereotypes associated with drug users, are that every person who uses drugs is a bad, or ‘naughty’ person. Most statistics revealed to the Australian public unfortunately uniformly support this stereotype with 72% of women having committed a crime had a drug dependency issue and had used an illicit substance in the last 12 months; this is compared to 66% of Australian men (Australian Institute of Criminology, 2009). These stereotypes are emphasised through
*Hassan was crying because of the shame he felt after the encounter with the soldier who said he had slep with his mother at some point.
But the fight for a better life won't stop just because you aren't ready. What we're doing is not something you decide to do when you feel like it. Whether you're ready or not, this struggle will go on.” Pg. 159. The drug issue is relevant in the world today because kids, especially teens, use it as a way to escape the reality they are living in. Some use it to have fun but others to forget of what they are living in and to relieve the “stress” they might have. Reading fiction can teach students the harm and danger of certain things, like drugs. It can show what it does and how it can affect you in the future and even though it may take away the hurt you are feeling, it will only come back when that feeling is gone.“When you win we win but when you go down you go down alone” Pg. 159. The author shows by this quote how not everyone is willing to go down when you go down, but only succeed when you do. This is relevant in the world because when you are doing good everyone want to be surrounded by you, but once you fail no one is there to help you. This relates to the thesis because it can teach students the harm drugs can cause when using them for a temporary
Nic struggles so much attempting to satisfy his need for the drug. This is the most important part of the book where I expected to know how drug users handle their addiction. The book narrates that Nic became a nuisance and a big problem both in the society and the family. Drug addiction erodes the morals of the users. Nic Sheff occasionally steals from everyone in the household.
Throughout “Chasing the Scream” many intriguing stories are told from individuals involved in the drug war, those on the outside of the drug war, and stories about those who got abused by the drug war. Addiction has many social causes that address drug use and the different effects that it has on different people. In our previous history we would see a tremendous amount of individuals able to work and live satisfying lives after consuming a drug. After the Harrison Act, drugs were abolished all at once, but it lead to human desperation so instead of improving our society, we are often the reason to the problem. We constantly look at addicts as the bad guys when other individuals are often the reasons and influences to someone’s decision in
Drugs is one of the themes in this story that shows the impact of both the user and their loved ones. There is no doubt that heroin destroys lives and families, but it offers a momentary escape from the characters ' oppressive environment and serves as a coping mechanism to help deal with the human suffering that is all around him. Suffering is seen as a contributing factor of his drug addiction and the suffering is linked to the narrator’s daughter loss of Grace. The story opens with the narrator feeling ice in his veins when he read about Sonny’s arrest for possession of heroin. The two brothers are able to patch things up and knowing that his younger brother has an addiction.
George and Lennie seemingly contrast each other throughout most of the story, constantly arguing about Lennie’s actions. After the two fight about Lennie needing ketchup for his beans, the author writes, "But I wouldn't eat none, George. I'd leave it all for you. You could cover your beans with it and I wouldn't touch none of it" (12). Lennie’s innocent offer to give up ketchup for his friend, resolving their argument, also establishes that extending acts of friendship is an astounding way to overcome differences. Certainly one must not only be kind in order to gain acceptance, but persistent in attempts to establish friendship. Lennie is another perfect example of this when he befriends Crooks: “Lennie’s disarming smile defeated him. ‘Come on in and set a while,’ Crooks said. ‘ ‘Long as you won’t get out and leave me alone, you might as well set down.’ His tone was a little more friendly” (69). Analogous to Lennie’s tenacious attempts to win Crooks’ trust, one must be resolute in order to accept those with differences. Constant acts of friendship show compassion and clear purpose in actions, ridding any stereotypes or misunderstandings in a
His gang is subcultural; they have a shared defiance and delinquency to where they reject normal values. The interactionist
For example, cocaine is represented as a central object in the Fortress of Solitude. Both Dylan and his friend, Mingus have their lives influenced negatively due to the drug’s usage, as Dylan finds himself expelled from college and Mingus adult life is mostly spent in and out of jail. Besides, Mingus’ father, Barrett, due to drugs addiction has his life ruined. Similarly, in the Goldfinch novel, Theo, and his friend Boris are seen as users of such drugs as marijuana, alcohol and other illicit
A friendship is a special relationship between peoples , It occurs between friend that care about each other. In talking about friendship , the novella from John Steinbeck “Of Mice and Men”. Two friends George and Lennie ,they are trying to find a job together to complete their dream of having a farm. But Lennie is an adult size with a child's mind, he gets in trouble a lot and as his friend, George helping him solve the problem and taking care of Lennie. Later George and Lennie finds a new job , but George lies to the boss about the problem that Lennie has.
When living sometimes we are faced with difficult decisions that affect our friendships. If you knew you were in a jam, what would you do? Who would you run to? Despite the greasers’ reputation as heartless young criminals, they live by a specific code of friendship and honour. In the novel The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton, there are many instances in which the gang members make selfless choices by putting the needs of others ahead of their own. Three examples are, when the gang has each other’s back, Johnny and Ponyboy’s friendship, and Dally risking his life for Johnny.