Vern Tessio's Conflict with His Brother Billy

Vern's fear of his older brother Billy and the tension that arises from Vern's discovery of Billy's secret.

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The Fear of Billy

The Fear of Billy The Bully Billy Tessio is Vern's older brother, a member of Ace Merrill's gang. He is cruel and domineering, and Vern is terrified of him. Vern knows that if Billy finds out he was listening under the porch, he will be beaten. The Secret Vern overhears Billy and Charlie discussing the dead body. He knows that Billy would kill him if he knew. The secret gives Vern a kind of power, but it also puts him in danger. He must decide whether to use the information. The Revenge Fantasy Vern secretly hopes that Billy will get caught for stealing the car and sent to reformatory. The fantasy is a way for Vern to cope with his powerlessness. He dreams of a world where Billy gets what he deserves.

The Confrontation at the Body

The Confrontation at the Body Billy's Accusation When Billy sees Vern at the body site, he immediately knows that Vern was the one who overheard him. He screams at Vern, calling him a 'cock-knocker' and threatening to beat him. Vern flinches but stands his ground with his friends. The Standoff Vern is terrified, but he does not run. He is supported by Chris and Gordon, who have the gun. The confrontation is a turning point for Vern: he is no longer just Billy's victim; he is part of a group that can stand up to him. The Aftermath Later, Billy beats Vern with a stovelength, knocking him unconscious. The beating is severe, but Vern survives. The incident deepens the rift between the brothers and solidifies Vern's bond with his friends.

Throughout childhood

Saturday afternoon, at the body site