The Subplot of Pig Pen and His Mother

John Dano's abusive relationship with his mother and his moment of confession.

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The Be-Bop Pencils

The Symbol of Oppression The Cheap Pencils Pig Pen (John Dano) breaks a Be-Bop pencil and tells the class about his mother. She buys the cheapest pencils and enters contests obsessively. The Drowned Kitten He reveals that his mother drowned his sister's kitten in the bathtub because she wouldn't pay for gas to euthanize it. He feels powerless against her. The Confession Pig Pen says he wishes he had Charlie's gun to kill his mother. The class is shocked. His story exposes another form of domestic violence.

The Aftermath of the Confession

The Grinding Down The Emotional Impact Pig Pen's confession resonates with the class. They see him in a new light. He becomes a symbol of the oppressed. The Participation in the Attack Pig Pen is one of the first to raise his hand when Charlie asks for the final order of business. He bites Ted's nose during the assault. The Long-Term Fate Joe McKennedy's letter mentions that Pig Pen and Dick Keene did something censored. Pig Pen's future is uncertain.

During the hostage crisis, mid-morning

Later during the hostage crisis