Potential Thesis Statements

In ­King Leary, there are two main themes that have a dominating presence throughout the novel and they are the negative affects of alcohol, and peer pressure. The negative affects of alcohol is a major theme and it is shown in the novel when characters become abusive, neglectful and use alcohol to escape their problems. A potential thesis statement for an essay based on this theme could be, “King Leary effectively shows how alcohol can negatively affect someone’s life and this can be seen through the actions of the characters in the novel.”  Peer pressure is also a very important theme in King Leary. This is shown largely through the actions of Clay Clinton as he bullies his friends into doing what is most beneficial to him, resulting in pliable, impressionable friends. A potential thesis for an essay discussing peer pressure could be, “King Leary­ explicitly discusses peer pressure and how its affects character development and this is evidenced by the way Manny and Leary succumb to peer pressure.”