The Nature of Courage and Cowardice

The novel examines what it means to be brave or cowardly, through the boys' actions and their own self-assessments.

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The Trestle Crossing

The Trestle Crossing The Dare Crossing the trestle is a test of courage. Teddy is eager, Vern is terrified, and Chris and Gordon are somewhere in between. They all cross, but their motivations differ. The Fear Vern is scared but does not want to be called a pussy. He crosses despite his fear. Is that courage or peer pressure? The novel questions the line between bravery and foolishness. The Aftermath After the near-miss with the train, they feel exhilarated. They have faced death and survived. The experience is a boost to their self-image, but it also reveals their vulnerability.

The Confrontation with Ace

The Confrontation with Ace The Stand Chris stands up to Ace Merrill with a gun. He is terrified but does not back down. The act requires immense courage, especially for a twelve-year-old. The Retreat Ace backs down, but later takes revenge by beating Gordon and Chris. The courage of the moment is followed by the cowardice of the ambush. The novel shows that courage is not always rewarded. The Reflection Gordon later reflects that Chris was the bravest person he knew. But Chris's courage also led to his death when he tried to break up a fight. The novel suggests that courage can be both admirable and tragic.

Friday afternoon

Saturday afternoon