Summary:
In these pages, we start to get a feel of the 'unity' of the students at Trinity, or the student-teacher relationship. Bailey, a high honor student in one of Jerry's classes, had his courage put to the test by Brother Leon, when he was questioned on why he always got good grades and good test scores, and that he cheated to get good grades. The interrogation went on to the point where Leon questioned if Bailey was 'godlike', because only God was perfect, and he asked Bailey if he though he was perfect. Bailey stood his ground, and proved himself worthy to his teacher and classmates, by station he didn't cheat over and over again. We are also introduced to a few more characters in this section, Emile Janza, one of the 'bad boys' of the school, who, besides his 'dominant' attitude, is afraid of Archie and the Vigils. Also, the assignment the Goober was assigned to previously is now in effect. We also get a chance to see Jerry's view of his mother's early death. With this bit, readers can truly understand the pain Jerry is going through without his mother, and putting up with a 'broken' family.
Quote:
He turned to Bailey, touched the top of his head with the pointer as if he were bestowing knighthood. "You did well, Bailey. I'm proud of you. You passed the biggest test of all--you were true to yourself." Bailey's chin was wobbling all over the place. "Of course you don't cheat, Bailey," his voice tender and paternal. he gestured toward the class-- he was a great one for gestures. "Your classmates out there. They're the cheaters. They cheated you today. They're the ones who doubted you- I never did."
Leon went to his desk. "Dismissed," he said, his voice filled with contempt for all of them (Cormier 46-47).
Reaction:
Regarding Brother Leon's interrogation to Bailey, I was shocked. Is a Private/Catholic school really like this?, I wondered. Do teachers really get the right to undermine you in front of all of your classmates? Aside from the interrogation itself, I love its conclusion, where Leon explains that he is clearly not a cheater, and that his classmates are, for not having faith in their fellow classmate, Bailey. These interrogations are probably usual, though, since, at the beginning of that chapter, the students are prepared for one of Leon's usual 'acts'. I'm starting to like this novel more now, very interesting, peering into the lives of 'delinquents'. >:D
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