Okay I'm not holding back just to warn you.
I found the relationship between Shannon and Bone one of the most interesting things in the story. These two girls are social outcast, so its only fitting that they came together. Shannon and the Pearl family came into Bone's life are an important time. Bone has started her search for religion and Shannon seems like the perfect friend to have because of her connections. The moment that Bone pulls Shannon into the bus seat is the moment that her and Reese's relationship changes. Reese fades into the background until Shannon and Bone have their fight. I didn't see Bone and Shannon as real friends. Bone uses Shannon for a few reasons (1) for religion and (2) for a way out of her house and I can't say I blame her. If I had to deal with Glen I would find everyway I could out of the house. Shannon death was... horrible. Can you imagine losing a child that way. The whole scene was tragic.
"Shannon had put her glasses back on. She had the lighterfluid can in one hand and she took up the long handled fork in the other. She poked the coals with the fork and sprayed them with the fluid. The can made a popping noise as she squeezed it. She was trying to get more of the coals burning it seemed. Or maybe she just liked the way the flames leaped up. She sprayed and sprayed, pulled back and sprayed again. Shannon shook her hand. I heard the lighter-fuild can sputter and suck air. I saw the flame run rught up to it and go out. Then it came back with a boom. The can exploded, and fire ballooned out it a great rolling ball. Shannon didn't even scream. Her mouth was wide open, and she just breathed the flames in. Her glasses went opaque, her eyes vanished, and all around her skull her fine hair stood up in a crown of burning glory. Her dress whooshed and billowed into orange-yellow smoky flames. I saw the fork fall, the wooden handle on fire. I saw Mrs. Pearl come to her come to her feet and start to run toward her daughter. I saw the men drop their ice tea glasses. I saw Shannon stagger and stumble from side to side, then fall in a heap. Her dress was gone. I saw the smoke turn black and oily. I saw Shannon Pearl disappear from the world."
I just could not believe it. I thought that Bone and Shannon were going to be friends agian and that happens. Just think Shannon died thinking that Bone hated her. Another thing who lets their 11 or 12 year old daughter play with fire and then blame Bone! Who was wrong in this situation Bone or Mr. and Mrs. Pearl.
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6 comments:
Shannon and Bone's relationship was odd, but I don't really think Bone was using Shannon. I think she felt sorry for her, but her anger kept her from being a true friend. I don't think Bone can have a normal connection with someone for very long, except for her mother. Bone is constantly moving around, not just houses and schools, but between aunts' houses. She stays with Ruth for a while when she is sick and develops a close relationship with her. But when Ruth dies, Bone goes to Raylene's and becomes close with her. I think Bone is looking to have the upper hand in all her relationships. Once she realizes that she has it or that she is never going to get it, she wants out of the relationship. For example, with her cousin Grey. Finally Bone had a plan and the hook that Grey wanted so badly. Bone sensed his jealousy and interest, and for the moment, when they were breaking into Woolworth's Bone and Grey had a close connection.
I think there was more to Bone and Shannon's relationship than Bone using her to get out of the house. I think from the beginning Bone genuinely feels a connection with Shannon and sees part of herself in Shannon. The relationship is so hard to understand and fully figure out because the anger and hate that are in both Bone and Shannon is something that Bone can't decipher or articulate. I think Bone also desperatly wanted a friend, or ust craved a close relationship with someone, and is constantly waiting for Shannon to become that person.
Don't get me wrong I see what you guys mean. Bone and Shannon had some sort of connection, but I also see how Shannon is an easy way out too. Not only does this girl and her family take Bone away from home, but they bring her to something that she holds dear gospel. I see how she is attracted to Shannon anger and hate, but I also see how Shannon annoys Bone.
While I see Shannon and Lindsey’s points, I would predominantly have to agree with Ginger. Though Bone does enjoy seeing someone else with as much anger as she has, Shannon and Bone’s relationship does seem primarily out of convenience for Bone. Bone’s dream was becoming a singer and befriending Shannon enabled her to go on the gospel tours. Although Bone seemingly let Shannon sit with her on the bus to prevent Shannon from being persecuted further by the other children, Bone had already explained that she “recognized Shannon Pearl immediately on the first Monday of the school year. I’d seen her with her family at the revival tent. Her daddy booked singers for the circuit…” (153). Thus, Bone already knew that Shannon was someone she wanted to associate with because of the potential for meeting the singers and being exposed to more music. Also, Shannon seems to know that her friendship with Bone stems from what she can offer Bone. When Shannon calls Bone after their fight, she tries to entice Bone to come to her family’s barbecue. When Bone doesn’t seem inclined to come for just the peaches and pecans, Shannon blurts out, “‘Mama gave me a record player”’ (197), hoping that this additional perk will persuade Bone to come. It’s sad, I think, that Bone was Shannon’s only friend and that Shannon felt that she had to entice even Bone to be around her.
I thought that there relatioship was also unique. I like the fact that Bone liked her because she saw herself in her. She used her in a sence. I think that she wanted the life she had, I think thats why she folloed her around to the concerts. I was really upset that Shannon died at the end.
I also thought that Bones and Shannon had an interesting relationship. They both seemed to lead hard lives, in different ways. Bones through poverty and abuse, and Shannon through her unusual appearance.
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