The short story "Greasy Lake-, written by T. Coraghessan Boyle, would be categorized as an allegory. Allegory can be defines as a literary work with many symbols of a larger representation. As stated in The Norton Anthology of Short Fiction, "allegory usually includes themes such as innocence, charity and prudery."" This story on the other hand, is about a loss of innocence. Throughout the story there are several references to how dark and mysterious the atmosphere is. This represents the boys' "bad character-. Most of the representations in the story have a kind of dark and gloomy sense. The story is about a group of adolescent boys that are looking for some kind of experience that would actually label them as "bad."" When they are finally confronted with a bad situation, are they really as bad as they think they are?.
A common theme during the story is nature. One of the boys refers to nature twice, in two very different situations. The first time is almost animalistic. He states, "This is nature- when they are in the woods drinking beer and howling at the moon. The second time is more spiritual as is the earth, God's creation and the sweet smell of the flowers. .
As the story progresses there is an overwhelming feeling of masculinity and coming of age. The boys are going up to Greasy Lake with a bottle of gin because, in their minds, there was nothing else to do to occupy their time. We are told that the Indians call Greasy Lake "Wakan- because of how clear the water is. Later on in the story, when one of the boys is forced to hide in the lake to escape, we learn that the lake is actually filthy. There is a layer of algae and muck hovering on top of the surface of the water. He also discovers a dead body covered in mud floating in the lake. The reference to the clarity of the water seems very ironic. Not only because of the actual physical appearance of the lake but also the nature of what occurs at the lake.
Coraghessan Boyle's short story, "Greasy Lake," the three young men seek adventure at a local hangout. ... There is nothing left for the three boys to do but head up to Greasy Lake. ... He realizes that he has no business being at Greasy Lake. ... The narrator describes in the second paragraph what Greasy Lake looks like. ... Coraghessan Boyle's short story, "Greasy Lake," and especially so for the narrator. ...
In Greasy Lake, T. ... They decide to drive up to Greasy Lake, the local hangout. ... Greasy Lake is a place where anything can happen, and tonight, for these three boys everything seemed to have. ... Greasy Lake, whether symbolic or literal, is a dangerous place to be. ... "Greasy Lake" is an excellent story about the transformation of the mind and spirit through encounters of the body. ...
Boyle's "Greasy Lake", is the story of a man's youthful and life-changing experience. The unnamed narrator vividly elaborates about a night he and his friends venture out to Greasy Lake and find more than they were looking for. ... "Now it is (was) fetid and murky."" (573) The description of the island in the middle of Greasy Lake has duel meanings. ... Their next attempt at being bad characters is interrupted by two college guys who have also driven up to Greasy Lake looking for an adventure. ... It is apparent in his early years Greasy Lake symbolized a good time, sex, drugs, and r...
Fear of Adulthood In "Greasy Lake" by T. ... The narrator and his two friends, Jeff and Digby, come across a terrible obstacle at the Greasy Lake when they are approached by a bad greasy character. ... Once the greasy bad character gets out of the car, he is seen as "a man of action" because he does not back down from any circumstances he must face. ... The three boys believe the greasy, "bad" character is dead when suddenly a girl runs out of the car screaming at the three young boys. ... At the beginning the boys believe nature is nothing but crickets, frogs, and a muddy lake. ...
Boyles short story "Greasy Lake" three teenagers, Digby, Jeff, and the narrator find themselves in the middle of something that they are not prepared to handle, even though they ensure us and themselves that they are. When our narrator's bad boy image is called to action the night at Greasy Lake, we find out it is just that, an image that is used to cover an unformed, true identity. ... Shortly after, a car swings into the parking lot and the three boys scatter into the dark, murky waters of Greasy Lake. When the three boys enter the lake the narrator describes it as a nasty insect i...
Coraghessan Boyle's narrative "Greasy Lake" paints a vivid picture of the trials and tribulations that teenagers faced during the 1960's. ... Arriving at Greasy Lake the boys assume they see their friend, Tony's car, unbeknownst to them, it's not. ... Avertedly, Boyle relates Greasy Lake to the teens. Just like the boys, Greasy Lake was once a place that was pure and innocent. ... "Greasy Lake" depicts how three young men felt a need to conform to society's greaser lifestyle. ...
The story "Greasy Lake" written by T. ... Unfortunately I had a sobering incident at a lake similar to the guys in "Greasy Lake". ... When got to the lake, there was only an old man fishing at the other end. ... They would forever be haunted by Greasy Lake and reminded of their one night of partying. ... Although we do not know what the future held for the characters I feel that they to found the right path and that night at Greasy Lake would forever have an impact on the choices they made for the rest of their lives....
Coraghessan Boyle's short story, "Greasy Lake," the three young men seek adventure at a local hangout. ... There is nothing left for the three boys to do but head up to Greasy Lake. ... He realizes that he has no business being at Greasy Lake. ... The narrator describes in the second paragraph what Greasy Lake looks like. ... Coraghessan Boyle's short story, "Greasy Lake," and especially so for the narrator. ...
Just because you "look bad" wear torn-up leather jackets, slouch around with toothpicks in your mouth; sniff glue, ether and what somebody claimed was cocaine, doesn't actually make you a bad character. This means you are just putting on an act, a front, just pretending to somebody and something you...
