Exploring The Consequences In Walter Dean Myers's Slam !

Having a big ego and too much self confidence can ruin a person’s ability to see the consequences of their actions, and make good choices in life. The book Slam is a book about a boy who switches schools and has to learn how to fit into his new school. He has a hard time keeping his grades up and getting along with the teachers, students, and coaches. In the story, Slam!, by Walter Dean Myers, Slam doesn’t foresee the consequences of his actions because of his ego, his immatureness, and his self confidence.

To begin, Slam’s ego keeps him from seeing the consequences of his actions greatly, throughout the book Slam! Slam is a very popular kid who is a very good basketball player, so he feels that he has to act the part by being as “cool” as he can be. One instance in which Slam doesn’t foresee the consequences of his actions, because of his ego, is when he disrespects his coach when they play one-on-one. When Slam blocks one of his coaches shots, he tells the reader, “I go up and slap his mess away. I don’t even chase the ball, I just put my hand on my hip and give him a look.” (12) Slam could have just played the coach straight up and fair instead of having an attitude about it and being a jerk. Slam’s ego wouldn’t have been damaged by just playing the coach fairly. By playing the way he did, Slam dug himself into a hole. This left a bad impression on the coach, and the coach didn’t start Slam in any of the games, even though Slam was clearly the best one on his

team. Another instance in which Slam doesn't foresee the consequences of his actions because of his ego is when he makes out with Kicky in the backseat of Ice’s car. In chapter six, Slam and a few friends, Ice, Kicky, and Bianca go out to eat after one of his games. While they are in the restaurant,Kicky asks Slam if he wanted to go out to Ice’s car for a smoke. Even though Slam has a girlfriend, he accepts Kicky’s invitation, and goes out to Ice’s car. Slam wants to act cool and smooth, so when she asks him if he likes the song that’s playing, he leans over and kisses her instead of answering. Slam doesn’t have to impress Kicky, because he already has a girlfriend. He tries to keep up his ego by being charming and romantic with Kicky, but he just ends up getting into trouble with his girlfriend. The last place in which Slam’s ego hinders his ability to foresee the consequences of his actions is when he disrespects the coach in the locker room, and the coach doesn’t put him in because of it. During halftime of a close game, the coach asks Slam if he is ready to play. Slam responds, “What’s up with this ‘you want to play bit?” (111) Slam and the coach argue back and forth for a few minutes, and when the second half started, Slam was sitting the bench. By having a bad attitude about not playing, Slam just gets himself less playing time. Many times in the story, Slam puts his ego above all things, and that causes him to make irrational and dumb decisions that earn him harsh consequences.
To continue, Slam doesn't foresee the consequences of his actions because of how immature he is. One way in which Slam being immature hinders from seeing the consequences of his actions is when he doesn’t want to get a tutor because his dad doesn’t want another man in the house. In chapter five, Slam’s principal gives him the opportunity to get a tutor to help him with his math. Slam rudely denies the offer because of a mix of his immaturity and his dad’s rules. Slam knows that he needs help in math class, and a tutor would help him get his grades up. Slam’s dad doesn’t want other men in the house because he is afraid of losing his wife. Slam could be more mature and tell his dad that having a tutor would be helpful, instead of telling the principal “no” and not saying anything to his dad at all. Since Slam didn’t get help in math, his math grade dropped, and he was almost unable to play basketball because of it. Another instance in which Slam being immature doesn’t let him foresee the consequences of his actions is when he almost punches his teacher over a comment the teacher made. In chapter 17, Slam uses improper grammar during his English class, so his teacher makes fun of him. Slam get angry and pulls back his fist as if he is going to punch him, but right as he is about to punch, a girl grabs his arm and tells him not to. Slam almost gets in trouble but his assistant coach bails him out of it. If Slam would have been more mature about his teacher’s comments, he could have avoided the consequences and troubles that his decision brought him. The last instance that Slam doesn’t foresee the consequences of his actions because of how immature he is is when he fights Ice. In chapter 20, Slam finds Ice dealing drugs to a druggie that lives in Ice’s apartment building. When Slam confronts Ice about it, Ice gets mad and they start arguing. When Ice gets too close to Slam, Slam pushes him backward, and they start throwing punches. Instead of arguing and throwing punches, Slam could be more mature and tell Ice that he doesn’t want to be friends if Ice is going to keep dealing drugs. Slam may be a junior in high school, but he acts very immature and childish throughout the story, which causes more harsh consequences and hardships that could be avoided if Slam would be more mature and humble.
Lastly, Slam doesn't foresee the consequences of his actions throughout the story because of his high level of self confidence. One instance in which Slam’s high level of self confidence doesn’t let him foresee the consequences of his actions is when he dunks on his teammate to show the team how good he is. In chapter six, a teammate, Nick, challenges Slam to a one-on-one game. Slam is sure that he is the best player on the team, but he believes that everyone else thinks Nick is better. Slam wins, but while they are playing, Slam dunks on Nick just to prove that he is a better player. Dunking on Nick causes everybody to think that Slam is full of himself, and it leaves another bad impression on his teammates and the coaching staff. Nobody, other than Ducky, talks to Slam in school, and the coach sees that Slam is cocky, so he doesn’t put Slam in the games until he absolutely has to. Another way in which Slam’s overconfidence hinders his ability to foresee the consequences is when he did his math test wrong, but turned it in anyway. In chapter eight, Slam has a four question pop-quiz in math. He doesn’t know how to do any of it, but he thinks that since he shows his work and his answers look right, he will get a passing grade on the test. Instead of asking the teacher for help on the math and telling the teacher that he didn’t get it, Slam gets a failing grade on the quiz. Because of his grade, Slam almosts gets an F overall in the class which puts him very close to not being able to play any basketball. Slam could avoid this mess by telling the teacher that he doesn’t understand the math and getting help on it. Lastly, Slam’s high level of self confidence hinders his ability to foresee the consequences of his actions as he constantly disrespects his coach because he thinks he is the best person on the the team. In the first chapter, when Slam shows up for tryouts, the coach tells him to play center and Slam responds, “I don’t play center, I’m a guard.” Since Slam thought he was too good to play center, the coach didn’t let him tryout at all. If Slam would just go with it and play center, he could have tried out, and eventually start. Although Slam is a very good basketball player, his over confidence in basketball causes him to be over confident in everything he does.
Slam’s ego, his level of immaturity, and his plethora of self confidence, hinder his ability to see the consequences of his actions, throughout the book Slam!

by Walter Dean Myers. There are many ways in which someone can be unable to foresee the consequences of their actions, and throughout the story, many feelings and emotions caused Slam to be unable to see them. Using this insight helps the reader get a feel for Slam’s personality. It shows the reader that Slam is very egotistical and

immature.