"'What you've got to realise,' she said to Chrissie, 'is that even though Tommy was at Hailsham, he isn't like a real Hailsham student. He was left out of everything and people were always laughing at him. So there's no point in asking him about anything like this. Now, I want to go and fine this person Rodney saw.'
A look had appeared in Tommy's eyes that made me catch my breath. It was one I hadn't seen for a long time and that belonged to the Tommy who'd had to be barricaded inside a classroom while he kicked over desks." pg. 155
Ruth has become obsessed with the idea of fitting in, and she even drags her friends into her lies. When she makes up stories about getting a deferral, she expects Kathy and Tommy to play along. She needs their support if she wants Chrissie and Rodney to believe her and continue paying attention.
Kathy knows how much Ruth wants to fit in. She knows that Ruth feels like she is doing this as a gift for everyone, and she doesn't want to ruin it for her. So, Kathy plays along.
On the other hand, Tommy is confused when he hears Ruth talking about things he doesn't remember as if he should. Kathy tries to hint at him, but Ruth is just angry. When Tommy realizes what is going on, he doesn't want to play along. He completely denies knowing anything about the deferrals Ruth is speaking of.
Ruth becomes outraged and she makes a blow at Tommy. She disregards his feelings completely and tells Chrissie and Rodney that Tommy wouldn't know what she was talking about because he was an outcast at Hailsham. In response, Tommy's temper flares, but he controls it before he acts out.
Although Chrissie and Rodney are unaware, Ruth, Tommy, and Kathy know what's going on. They know how hurtful and disrespectful Ruth's comment about Tommy was. The reader knows as well how tense this moment is, even if some of the characters don't.
No comments:
Post a Comment