Clarett’s character is tested in chapter 14, when he begins to reveal to the reader that he isn’t actually prepared to go into the nfl. He begins to doubt himself. This indeed doesn’t sound like Clarett. In the beginning of the book, he came off like he was that best of the best. He revealed that he was the first to come into practice, and the last to leave. He revealed in the beginning that he was one of the few athletes of Ohio state who could study game films, and that he trained over his break and during his free time whenever he got the chance. In chapter 14, he reveals that didn’t even think he was halfway decent, and that he couldn’t secure his spot.
The most important event in this chapter was when Clarett revealed that even when you think you're out of the street life, it can find you. As a result of this, Clarett probably felt like he was the target or next potential target because of his street affiliations and background. I also believe this to be the foreshadowing what bad is about to possibly occur. Also, when Maurice avoided the help of the psychologist, it made his bad habits worse.
I found that I related to the quote that read “ but I took it a little too far, because I was hanging out a lot longer than I should have been”. (P.188)I think this quote just screams having your priorities together. I think that sometimes it takes having been in this predicament to finally make the decision that you have other important things going on in your life.
I like your interpretation of the quote in your last paragraph. I think as we grow and find ourselves in new situations, he begin to decide what is important and is not.
ReplyDeleteIt reminds me of one of my favorite quotes, "If you don't make a decision someone will make it for you."
Fatima,
ReplyDeleteI completely agree, it's unlike Maurice to feel fear of being underprepared. He usually is ahead of the game describing like you said being the earliest and latest to practice, and watching tons of film learning moves etc. yet this whole chapter shows a theme of him stuck in L.A. lifestyle of a partying routine. I was shocked that even during camp he made trips and was out all nights at clubs then rolling to the facility hungover. The broncos was a huge opportunity for Maurice, it's sad he was having such a poor mental attitude and eventually got cut.
-Alia
I agree that he had a sense of paranoia about his time in the street life that followed him a bit and made him expect to be a victim.
ReplyDelete