Friendswood Blog Post 4: Blame

Blog Post 4: Pgs. 167-228

 How does Hal use blame to protect Cully and himself? What is Hal trying to protect himself from?

        When Hal is notified that Cully is involved in a fight, he knows that this will most likely mean Cully will be off his high school football team. Hal knew that Cully was fully aware of what was at risk and still decided to make a poor decision. However, he does not leave Cully to be accountable for his actions, he immediately blames his inadequate church offerings, "If only he'd had more money to give as an offering to the church, if he could only show his devotion better."(228). He believes that..."he must have had a good reason.."(228). Since Hal lives through his son, he refuses to see his son for who he really is. Hal fears that his son will make all the wrong decision like he also did,; he is protecting himself from having to relive his own failures. His desperate hope in his son is a reflection of his inability to let go of his own past. He uses blame to vent the feeling of fear and blame.

                                          

Discuss Dex’s mother’ reaction to learning that perhaps Dex attended the party. Who does she
blame? What does her response reveal about her character?

        Dex's mother has complete trust in her son. Although she has no idea that Dex attended the party, she tells other parents who insist on blaming Willa for the outcome of the party that men need to take accountability for their action, even when tempted. His mom holds Dex in high esteem and uses him as an example when she says, "My Dex knows how to control himself, no matter what present he's offered"(180). She out-rightly places blame on the males involved in the rape incident; she believes "...boys need to learn that not everything comes to them--they're not entitled"(179). Dex's mom justifiable believes that everyone needs to own up to their actions, and not passively push blame on others. In this case, Dex's mom sides with Willa because she views Willa as the victim. She refuses to sit back and allow the other parents in the meeting to deface Willa's person while simultaneously allowing the perpetrator to be portrayed as innocent. This reveals that Dex's mother is impartial and honest. She is also bold and out-spoken about matters that she is passionate about. This portion of the novel allows readers to assess the character of Dex's mother. Readers are able to conclude that she may support her sons decision to befriend Willa.


Dex begins to befriend Willa. Is his friendship genuine? Why does he befriend Willa? Does he
blame himself for what happens to her?

         Dex chooses to befriend Willa as he learns the details of what occurred at the party. After his friend, Weeks, tells him that Willa was drugged by Bishop, "Dex didn't want to be part of lying about Willa. He knew they'd tricked her somehow..."(176).  Dex wants to know the truth and decides to distance himself from the lies. He knew the rumors that were spreading throughout the school did not accurately depict what had actually occurred that day, "He started to put pieces together, things he'd overheard in the locker room , and his defense of Willa felt  even more crucial--as if it would prove something to himself."(210); Dex is not genuine in befriending Willa because he does it to make up for not being aware of her victimization at the party. Dex knows that befriending Willa will assist in uncovering the truth from the day of the party. He feels guilty by association and does blame himself for not doing more. He needs to prove to himself that he is better than the guys that drugged and raped Willa; He wants to shift the blame he feels.

Works Cited

Steinke, Rene. Friendswood. Riverhead Books.