Death is a common theme throughout the novel, and much of the time, Ward focuses on how life, death, and rebirth are tied to Jojo's transition into manhood and becoming an adult. The idea of Jojo shedding his old self can be seen as more of a metaphorical form of death, as he continues to become someone new. We can see these transitions into adulthood numerous times throughout the novel, but each one is consistently tied to some sort of death.
In the opening pages of the novel, we begin to get a glimpse into how Jojo desperately wants to be respected by Pop and appear manly and useful to his grandfather. Jojo explains, "I want Pop to know I can get bloody. Today's my birthday" (Ward 1). This need for validation and reassurance from his grandfather is linked to the killing of the goat from the same scene. As one life is being extinguished, Jojo demonstrates a new life and journey into manhood and death of a childhood.
Similarly, in the instance in which Pop finally tells Jojo the final piece of the story about Richie, a sense of death permeates Jojo growing into a man. After Pop explains how Richie's death occurred, he breaks down in guilt, and Jojo must comfort him in a way similar to how he would comfort Kayla (Ward 257). For one of the first times, the roles of Pop and Jojo are switched, and reading can truly understand how Jojo has grown into an adult that not only takes care of his family, but is beginning to understand enough of the world to help them in an emotional and spiritual sense. This requires a wisdom that he did not previously have, and Richie's death and Jojo's understanding of it are tied to his emotional growth.
Finally, in the end of the novel, the ultimate step of Jojo's transition is observed through Mam's death. In his grandmother dying, Jojo must step up in a new role in his family. Leonie describes that "Jojo gains Pop's lost of his bearing" (Ward 270). Mam's death represents and generates Jojo's transition into not only an adult, but someone who has seen horrible things occur and no longer possesses the naivety of a child.
Ultimately, these instances of death with the goat, Richie, and Mam all stand to highlight the death of Jojo's childhood and subsequent rebirth into adulthood. His journey into adulthood and manhood can be seen as him physically having to be a supporter for his family as well as growing emotionally and having to learn about the horrors of the world.
This post was a deeply compelling discussion on the theme of death and how it is prevalent throughout the novel and Jojo’s journey into adulthood. Pop killing the goat as the beginning scene to this book made it an obvious theme, but the way it affects Jojo is anything but that. I think that because the author made death such an obvious part of the story would possibly make people look past it to other ideals. I especially thought it was interesting how you pointed out that each death is tied to a different part of Jojo’s growth. The goat signifies him becoming more manly, Richie’s death is tied him becoming more emotionally mature, and his grandmother dying is tied to him becoming a supporter for his family.
ReplyDeleteDeath also impacts Leonie in a profound way, and I think it could be overlooked. When Given dies, it leads to her meeting Michael and continuing into motherhood and adulthood. And when Mam dies, she loses Jojo even further as a son. If we was disconnected from her before Mam’s death, it is likely that he will even be further disconnected as he has to entirely take on a role of a caretaker. Jojo is forced into adulthood, even a type of fatherhood to Kayla, while Leonie is forced out.