Peer Pressure: Clay-Manny

In Chapter 9, the theme concerning peer pressure becomes more solidified. In this chapter, Clay Clinton once again pressured his friend into doing something improper. Manny Oz was Clay’s next victim and it happened after the boy’s reformatory hockey team had won the All Ontario Championships in 1995. After the finals, a celebratory party was organized for the team and naturally, Clay showed up. After greeting Leary, he disappeared to find Manny. Hours later, Manny fell through a stained glass window and began puking on the floor. In his hand was a small flask engraved with the two linked C’s that were Clay Clinton’s trademark. Peer pressure is an evident theme in this chapter because Manny succumbed to the peer pressure of Clay and got drunk. This chapter may also offer insight into themes that may develop later in the novel. Manny’s will was easily bent by Clay and this shows that Manny is an easily influenced character. This may affect the course of the novel if Manny continues to be influenced by Clay.