The_Body_and_Stand_By_Me

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Lessons Learned: //Adulthood// versus //Childhood// Context: First, **** to watch a video clip from the documentary //Stephen King: Shining In The Dark// (1999). In it, scholars discuss Stephen King’s work, specifically the way King characterizes adults and children.

Next, consider the film //Stand by Me// (1986) and its basis, King’s semi-autobiographical novella //The Body // (1982) . In both versions of the story, our **first-person narrator** is a middle-aged novelist and loving father named Gordon—or “Gordy,” for short. //Decades// have passed since “Adult Gordy” last thought about his middle school friends. Adult Gordy even admits—he’s never told //anyone// about his two-day journey. . . until //now//. ..

When Adult Gordy self-reflects, he does so with wisdom and maturity—qualities he did //not// have as a 12-going-on-13-year-old boy. //Separately,// “Childhood Gordy,” our **protagonist**, questions the meaning of his life (to that point), the strength of his friendships (at that time), the problems within his family, and his identity (how //other people// see him versus how he sees //himself).// His trip down the railroad tracks is **symbolic**: In looking for the dead body of Ray Brauer, Childhood Gordy is //really// searching for answers.

The conclusions Childhood Gordy draws in 1959/1960 are //very// different from the conclusions Adult Gordy draws by telling us his story in our Present Day. We could argue that Adult Gordy and Childhood Gordy are two separate characters—with //vastly// distinct perspectives on “the meaning” of what happened that fateful summer.

Questions: Explain what Childhood Gordy learned “back-then,” in 1959/1960, searching for Brauer’s body. Next, explain what Adult Gordy learns “in-the-now,” Present Day, reflecting on that journey. Finally, explore the //specific ways// these life-lessons are different from each other. //How// are they different? //Why// are they different?


 * Cite __specific evidence__ from __both the film and novella__. Be sure to explain __how__ the evidence “proves” your conclusions. Within each answer, point to, __in detail__, any number of life-lessons learned by Childhood Gordy in 1959/1960 and “new” life-lessons learned by the self-reflective Adult Gordy. __Compare and contrast__ Childhood Gordy to Adult Gordy. In terms of identity, how are Childhood Gordy and Adult Gordy two //completely// different people? **

You can **copy and paste passages from the book**. Click **** to pull up the text we read in class.

Need a refresher in **how to cite outside sources** in a paper? Click **here** for citation guidelines.  * * * * * **Looking for ideas?** Watch and reconsider these excerpts from //<span style="font-family: Garamond,serif; font-size: 18.6667px;">Stand by Me. //<span style="font-family: Garamond,serif; font-size: 18.6667px;">You may wish to address any number of the following questions in your paper. ..

<span style="font-family: Garamond,serif; font-size: 18.6667px;">In this clip (“****”), listen closely to Adult Gordy’s self-reflective narration. How much did he and his friends //truly// know about themselves in 1959?

<span style="font-family: Garamond,serif; font-size: 14pt;">In this clip (“****”), Childhood Gordy handles Chris Chambers’ gun. Notice how Childhood Gordy’s overconfidence is quickly shattered by shock and fear. Why, then, is Childhood Gordy so assertive and self-assured (“****”) handling Chambers’ gun near the end of the story? //Why// did Childhood Gordy change? //How// did he change?

<span style="font-family: Garamond,serif; font-size: 14pt;">As discussed in class, a junkyard dog teachers Childhood Gordy a life-changing lesson. Revisit that sequence (“****”). Consider its significance in the context of the rest of the story.

<span style="font-family: Garamond,serif; font-size: 14pt;">As discussed in class, the “****” scene contains visual **symbolism**. What does the image symbolize? How does its symbolism **foreshadow** Childhood Gordy’s capacity to change?

<span style="font-family: Garamond,serif; font-size: 14pt;">Throughout much of the narrative, Childhood Gordy has little faith in his storytelling. (Review the scene “****.”) Who helps Childhood Gordy dramatically change this self-image? What changed? How do we know? (Hint: What does Adult Gordy do for a living? What does this prove?)

<span style="font-family: Garamond,serif; font-size: 14pt;">Here (“****”), the boys discuss “important” topics around a campfire. Adult Gordy narrates. What does this sequence tell us about the boys’ maturity? On the subject of maturity, what does Adult Gordy state? What does this statement **infer**?

<span style="font-family: Garamond,serif; font-size: 14pt;">What significance can we draw from “****” scene? Childhood Gordy doesn’t tell his friends about it. Why do you suppose this is the case? Why is Adult Gordy willing to talk about it now? From childhood through adulthood, how has Gordy changed?

<span style="font-family: Garamond,serif; font-size: 14pt;">Children tend to believe they are invincible. Childhood Gordy, on the other hand, must face the subject of death head-on. When he sees the body of Ray Brauer, why does Childhood Gordy immediately think about Denny? Why wasn’t Childhood Gordy able to talk about Denny (and the subject of death) before this? How has Childhood Gordy changed as a result of seeing Ray Brauer? Revisit the scene (“****?”) in which this change becomes evident.

<span style="font-family: Garamond,serif; font-size: 14pt;">The boys set out to find Ray Brauer. Their reasons change several times over the course of the story. Review those moments in which these changes take place. Recall the boys’ initial incentive for making the journey (“****”). Revisit the moment when Gordy’s motivation drastically changes (“****”). What runs through the boys’ minds when they finally come upon Ray Brauer (“****”)? What decision do the boys make in the scene “****”? How does this contradict their original intentions? What does this contradiction tell us about the boys and how their journey changed them?

<span style="font-family: Garamond,serif; font-size: 14pt;">Childhood Gordy lives in a community called Castle Rock. Consider how he felt about the town at the beginning of the story (“****”). How and why does this perspective change when he returns from his journey? (Review the scene “****.”)

<span style="font-family: Garamond,serif; font-size: 14pt;">In the scene “****,” Adult Gordy uses a simile to describe the lessons he later learned about friendship. How do these lessons conflict with Childhood Gordy’s naïve belief in the strength of his friendships? What does this conflict tell us about changes in Gordy <span style="font-family: Garamond,serif; font-size: 18.6667px;">’ <span style="font-family: Garamond,serif; font-size: 14pt;">s perspective from childhood on into adulthood?

<span style="font-family: Garamond,serif; font-size: 14pt;">Adult Gordy concludes by posing a rhetorical question to his audience. Why ask this question? What does the question itself tell us about Adult Gordy? Moreover, what has Adult Gordy learned about //himself// as a direct result of recalling his childhood journey? Review the scene and the question Adult Gordy posits (“****”). Take special note not only of what Adult Gordy writes, but also how he reacts to the entrance of his son. What is **inferred** by this reaction?