Grand Opening by Jon Hassler essays

Grand Opening by Jon Hassler essays ...He did not steal to accumulate the goods of this world. He stole out of need and he stole out of generosity. He stole in order to keep his body and soul together and he gave away the rest. (Page 289 hardcover) These expressions best portray Dodger Hicks, a character from Grand Opening which is a novel by Jon Hassler. Dodger was evidently a generous teenager; a quite faithful friend, but also feared being rejected by people. Dodgers fear of rejection was apparent to those who knew him. Once Dodger asked Brendan if he could live with him as an alternative to being at the reform school he was staying at. Julie and Brendan exchanged a pained glance, and Dodger, seeing it, gracefully withdrew his suggestion by laughing as though he hadnt meant it. This was the Dodger of old, all right; at the first sign of rejection he backed off with something of apology in his manner. Sorry for needing you, he seemed to say. (Page 141 hardcover) Dodger tried to fit in by pilfering things to give as gifts because he had scarcely any money. Dodger sought to be loved like he treasured others, but was apprehensive of what people thought of him. Dodger was truly generous even when it meant giving something he did not have the money for. While home from the reform school during Christmas, he stole a Zippo lighter, candy bar, and a windshield-wiper blade. The Zippo was for his mom; the candy bar was for him to eat, but the blade was for no one. He admitted to himself that he was dissatisfied that he took something he didnt need or want to give to anyone, and that he stole it just because it was there. ...but how could you resist doing the one thing in life you were good at? ... It was Dodgers policy to steal only out of necessity and never-or seldom-at random. (Page 151 hardcover) Dodger also got Brendan a present for Christmas: the caps he wanted for his c ...