The Red Riding Hood

Drown

Summary:

This story is about a young man who has done many things that he shouldn’t be proud of. It starts with him saying that he is not on good terms with his good friend. The reason for the split is kept hidden throughout until the very end. These kids seem to have been raised in a very poor neighborhood plagued with all kinds of ill activities. The narrator talks about doing drugs, selling them, stealing things, drinking, smoking etc. His best friend used to be his partner in crime. The reason the narrator stopped talking to his friend was because of a homosexual encounter that happened years ago between them.

Questions:

Why do you think the narrator doesn’t want to confront his friend?

Has the narrator spoken about this with his mother?

Explain the situation in his house during the time the story was written

Response:

This story starts out as an innocent story of a young man, his family and his friend. As it progresses we see the ill- dynamics being played out. Both the male figures in his life betrayed him and played roles that he wasn’t proud of. The responsibility of taking care of his mom also burdens the young man. His nature is troubling and self destructing. Often times, this is what happens when someone is emotionally and mentally hurt. Many times, the families do not recognize or try to dig deeper into their child’s life. The question of whether they should be open and welcoming to listen to the child’s woes is something we need to think about. This shows how stressful and uneasy life in the ghetto can be. There are many things that we can learn from this story, to avoid incidences like these from ever happening to the people close to us, and in the community.