“It’s a matter of life or death, you jerk!”
Metaphorically speaking, the use of condom during sexual activity is only sometimes literally a matter of life and death. Condom usage is often engaged for purposes other prohibition of the procreative process. But that is neither here nor there because this outburst of hyperbolic metaphor is actually referencing not the decision by the high school to begin a condom distribution program, but rather the necessity for the school newspaper to take a stand on the issue. Under these circumstances, the assertion of it being a life or death issue is purely metaphorical. Or, well, overwhelmingly metaphorical, anyway.
Moral Liquidity
Part of the discourse under consideration in this novel is the distinct differentiation in public behavior that is allowed to be practiced without question by some but serve to create a threat to others. What is especially interesting about this particular example is the context which precedes and the context which follows. That which follows is Jamie—struggling with identifying as homosexual—wistfully wondering if the day would ever come when she could share such intimacy with another girl. That which precedes is the fact that Nomi and Clark are representatives of the judgmental Christian opposition to homosexuality who also happen to be teenagers engaging in behavior that a couple of decades before would have targeted Nomi as something much different from the “good girl.”
“Nomi and Clark came toward her, Clark with his arm lightly across Nomi’s shoulders and Nomi snuggled under it. They walked together fluidly, as if they shared the same body.”
The Politician
Wherever there is an attempt to drag morality into the current century, one can always rely upon a politician running on the platform of “traditional values.” And, sadly, these traditional values never change even though societal opinions on them have. It is a weird dichotomy, but one that never fails and never changes when it comes to the use of metaphor. (Keep in mind that all the things listed by the politician have literally existed every single day since. July 4, 1776.)
“The moral fabric of our country is growing weaker every day, what with homosexuality, drug abuse, alcohol abuse, unwed mothers, and fathers who don’t support their kids.”
Maybes and Probablys
Jamie and Terry devise a secret coded language for discussing their issues with sexual orientation. The language disguises the actual topic—should anyone be listening—with metaphorical imagery representing a spectrum of acceptance of being off the beaten path of the acceptable norms within society:
“The verbal assaults diminished a little, but Terry and Jamie, after a long talk one moonlit summer night down on Sloan’s Beach, started calling themselves “Maybes”— maybe gay, maybe straight.”
Editorial Control
With being editor-in-chief of a high school newspaper comes responsibility. But with responsibility also comes power. And the editor is always the last word. Except when the publisher is the last word. Jamie is a responsible type who understands this responsibility even as she exceeds her authority:
“I am a dictator sometimes, you’re right. I pretty much railroaded everyone into doing that survey, but I really do believe we have to publish everyone’s opinions, at least about the act of burning books.”
