A Lesson on Conformity from Michael Taylor
In Black Swan Green, arguably one of the most prominent themes in the novel is Jason's love for poetry and his journey with his alter ego "Eliot Bolivar". Bolivar represents many of Jason's internal struggles, his inability in his family, his insecurity with his self-image, and his self-expression. Jason writes under this pseudonym under the fear that his secret would be discovered and revealed to the world, for that he could never socially recover. His double life leads him on an interesting and almost fairytale-esque journey where he encounters a woman by the name of Eva van Outryve de Crommelynck, who transforms into a sort of mentor for him and a parental figure he so desperately needs. I believe that Jason formed his societal ideals not only from peer pressure but also from his desire to appeal to his father. The parallels between them are uncanny, allowing Jason to grow out of his toxic mindset on himself and others....