Best-known works are Greasy Lake and Other Stories (1985), If the River Was Whiskey (1989), The Road to Wellville (1993, adapted as a film in 1994), The Tortilla Curtain (1995), Riven Rock (1998), A Friend of the Earth (2000), After the Plague (2001), Drop City (2003), The Inner Circle (2004), and The Women (2009). Boyle's short stories have. Boyle’s Greasy Lake: Summary and Analysis. Boyle is a famous American novelist with many accolades to his name. Amongst his noted work is a collection of short stories called Greasy Lake and Other Stories (1985), which confronts the doubts, insecurities, and issues that were faced by the people in America during the 1960s.
“Greasy Lake” and its Many Historical References In T. Coraghessan Boyle’s short story “Greasy Lake,” there are many subtle historical references. These references pertain to different events that were happening during the time period that the story takes place, and help to describe different parts of the plot. Casual readers may not even notice these interesting little bits of information, but upon paying closer attention; they would become aware of the small, almost unnecessary references that make this story so fascinating. T. C. Boyle uses many military and political terms from the Vietnam War to describe events in the story. In “Greasy Lake,” T.C. Boyle describes the mistake that worsened the situation ten fold:The first…show more content…
Boyle also uses the term “air blitz” when he illustrates the scene of the early morning of Greasy Lake in the aftermath of the fight. “I was circling the car, as dazed and bedraggled as the sole survivor of an air blitz, when Digby and Jeff emerged from the trees behind me.”(Gioia 150) A blitz is “any swift, vigorous attack, barrage, or defeat….” (“Blitz”) It is obvious why the narrator would feel like he had just endured a blitz. He had just narrowly escaped a beating that could possibly have killed him. Other terms used in the story are guerrilla and commando. Boyle used these words when discussing the topic of crawling across the ground. “I inched forward, elbows and knees, my belly pressed to the muck, thinking of guerrillas and commandos and The Naked and the Dead” (149). T.C. Boyle also uses many references from literature, music, and movies that were popular during the time the story takes place. In the beginning of the story, the narrator explains how he and his friends are “dangerous characters” (144). He says “We were nineteen. We were bad. We read Andre Gide and struck elaborate poses to show that we didn’t give a shit about anything. At night we went up to Greasy Lake” (144). Andre Gide was a “controversial French writer whose novels…often show individuals in conflict with accepted morality” (144). “Gide’s work can be seen as an investigation of freedom and empowerment…” (“Andre Gide”) It is interesting that the characters in the story
Boyle also uses the term “air blitz” when he illustrates the scene of the early morning of Greasy Lake in the aftermath of the fight. “I was circling the car, as dazed and bedraggled as the sole survivor of an air blitz, when Digby and Jeff emerged from the trees behind me.”(Gioia 150) A blitz is “any swift, vigorous attack, barrage, or defeat….” (“Blitz”) It is obvious why the narrator would feel like he had just endured a blitz. He had just narrowly escaped a beating that could possibly have killed him. Other terms used in the story are guerrilla and commando. Boyle used these words when discussing the topic of crawling across the ground. “I inched forward, elbows and knees, my belly pressed to the muck, thinking of guerrillas and commandos and The Naked and the Dead” (149). T.C. Boyle also uses many references from literature, music, and movies that were popular during the time the story takes place. In the beginning of the story, the narrator explains how he and his friends are “dangerous characters” (144). He says “We were nineteen. We were bad. We read Andre Gide and struck elaborate poses to show that we didn’t give a shit about anything. At night we went up to Greasy Lake” (144). Andre Gide was a “controversial French writer whose novels…often show individuals in conflict with accepted morality” (144). “Gide’s work can be seen as an investigation of freedom and empowerment…” (“Andre Gide”) It is interesting that the characters in the story
Theauthor uses a graphic tone unsuitable for the underage population. He utilizesan explicit and aggressive tone in describing the insults from his friends.This is intentional in order to capture the real life conversation of19-year-olds. The author took a great effort to incorporate adventure and thefears of young boys about to become adults. As the teens get involved in aconflict, the author's tone changes to reflect the horror of the emergent “bad”character and the threat it poses to the young men (Boyle 130).
WhenBoyle sets his narrative in Greasy Lake Boyle ’sstory is appalling to middle –aged readers as deliberately set by the author.
TheGreasy Lake
Theauthor personifies and describes the Greasy Lake Greasy Lake Greasy Lake Greasy Lake
Symbolically,the narrator repented and is baptized in Greasy Lake Digby and Jeff (Boyle 131). While the lake was in a poor condition during the narrator’ssubmergence, his emergence as a cleansed and transformed person postulates thathe was indeed “dirtier” than the personified water. Drugs were offered to thenarrator and his friends after the baptismal event in the lake. They bluntlydeclined to revert to their “old ways.” It was clear they had moved on to starta new life after they turned down offers of an attractive woman. Boyle ,therefore, keeps the reader’s hope on triumph of good over evil as the storyends (Werlock 32).
Dueto the occurrence of horrific events in the fateful night, there is a highprobability that the protagonists mend theirways in the future. The subsequence of events that yielded the narrator’sepiphany at Greasy Lake
How the Poem Affects Me
Ihave a 17-year-old sister that just cleared high school. Already, she hasstarted engaging in dangerous behaviors that can threaten her future. If she doesnot receive assistance immediately, chances are that she is going to retrace footstepsof Jeff and Digby in the story. What I am worried about is that my younger sister would regrether current involvements in the future. Nobody should deny a teenager a chanceto enjoy his/her youth. However, when push comes to shove, it is necessary tointervene and prevent a catastrophe. I am well-aware of the effect of peerpressure among the adolescents.
Afterreading Boyle ’s story, I became increasinglyconcerned on the dangers that my sister and her friends are exposingthemselves. As a caring sister, I intend to hold a discussion with my sister onhow she can take control of her life. If she resists, I will recommend Greasy Lake Boyle ’sbook and the fate of the three teenage friends can be enough to transform hermindset.
Kane, Richard C. 'Earth,Water, and Fire: Elemental Representations of Feminist Force In Stories by John Cheever , T. Coraghessan Boyle , and Tobias Wolff
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Shine K, Neuleib J. Introductionto Literature. New Jersey Pearson Custom Publishers; 2008:1-42.
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Werlock, Abby H. P, and James P. Werlock New York NY