Intervening in Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter

            The eternal issues of racism and murder seem impossible to eradicate; however, on a smaller scale, I believe that one can ameliorate the concerns. For instance, I contend that my direct intervention in the novel Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter could have reduced tensions dealing with both these controversies. The author, Tom Franklin, discusses both discrimination and homicide in his narration of the intertwining lives of Larry Ott, a lonely, white mechanic, and Silas Jones, an African American, childhood baseball prodigy. The novelist rotates time periods between the late 1970s and modern-day America. This juxtaposition exemplifies that although racism and murder has decreased since the ‘70s, both issues still remain seemingly everlasting. If I had the opportunity to interfere in the story of Larry and Silas, I would hope to reduce controversy surrounding both timeless problems by revealing to the boys their half-kinship. I affirm that the boy’s shared father, Carl Ott, causes much of the angst in their relationship, and I believe having a common bond of dislike towards their paternal figure could have assisted the pair in their younger years. For instance, after Silas voluntarily did Larry’s chore of mowing the grass, Carl commends Larry, whom he thought did the work. Silas repeats the words “Good work, boy” multiple times and states that he will never forget the feeling of paternal approval, even if it stood as indirect (152). Silas’ repetition indirectly characterizes his yearn for a father figure, leading to his envy of Larry. Had Carl revealed himself as Silas’ father, the friends would not have had their underlying tension and they duo could have shared the intense commonality of brotherhood. However, Carl had too many reservations about disclosing his adulterous relationship with a black woman. Moreover, had Silas and Larry known about their blood relation, Carl may not have forced the boys into the fight that would ultimately end their friendship. During their dispute, Larry stutters out “’n-n-n-nigger’” at Silas, the true stake in their childhood alliance (90). Larry’s stuttering creates a reluctant tone and illustrates his unwillingness to hurt Silas. I contend that had the pair known about their relation they could have overcome the feud, if it even occurred. I have had many disputes with my own siblings, but we have always overcome them, and I trust that Silas and Larry could have done the same had they known their bond. Although I have no way to know for sure if revealing the truth to Silas and Larry would help keep their friendship alive, I feel it would have definitely strengthen their companionship. Larry’s alienation from society creates many problems in his future life and intertwines with many murders; however, had Silas and Larry stayed friends, this may not have occurred. Franklin writes to siblings with struggling relationships in order to encourage them to value each other and keep their bond alive. I agree with the author and advocate the same for family-like friendships; one does not truly value their relationships until they disappear.