Reading Log Questions: Who to Blame?

How does Hal use blame to protect Cully and himself?  What is Hal trying to protect himself from?

Hal has struggled with the concept of blame throughout his life. Years ago, he blamed himself for his alcoholism and his adultery. Now, he is desperately trying to protect Cully and himself from blame. Cully has made many mistakes recently that are affecting his reputation, and Hal cannot stand to see that. He knows what it is like to hit rock bottom, and since Cully is his pride and joy, he will not let it happen to Cully. Hal is blinded by his love for his son. So Hal is doing anything that he can to protect Cully. And one of the ways that he is doing that is by deflecting the blame away from Cully and himself. So, he starts blaming Willa for her own rape, saying that “there always were and always would be girls like that” (Steinke 149). He blames Cully’s friends for being a bad influence, saying that Cully “...left the house most afternoons and didn’t come back until late” (Steinke 130). He essentially blames everyone but Cully and himself. Hal refuses to let go of the past, of the time when Cully was his best friend, the one who saved his life and helped him clean up his act. He will not admit that Cully has changed and should accept some of the blame that he has brought upon himself. Hal is trying to protect himself from having to live in the present. He is comfortable living in the past; he cannot stand to face his current situation. Hal uses blame to deflect his own emotions of pain and anger onto other people so that he does not have to deal with them. He is projecting his struggles onto other people instead of taking responsibility for his and Cully’s actions.

Discuss Dex’s mother’ reaction to learning that perhaps Dex attended the party.  Who does she blame?  What does her response reveal about her character?

Dex’s mother loves Dex very much. She is a genuinely good person and places a lot of trust in her son and his decision-making skills. She is horrified by what went on at that party, and she is one of the only people who believes that the boys, especially Cully, should be held accountable for their actions and mistakes. She sticks up for the underdog, in this case, Willa, asking “why didn’t [the boys] do anything to stop it? It just kills me that boys here would do that…” (Steinke 181). Unlike the rest of the town, she does not blame Willa for what happened at the party. Dex’s mom refuses to drop the topic, and Dex explains how it bothers “...him that she couldn’t let it go” (Steinke 181). Dex’s mom is using blame to criticize the boys at the party. She is publicly criticizing them so that everyone in the town can see that what they did was wrong, and to make sure that nothing like it ever happens again.

Choose an institution (marriage, government, academic, church, family, mass media)  to discuss why “they” are speaking and why “they” are blaming.

The church is a powerful institution in Friendswood. The lives of most of the townspeople revolve around the church. So, it is natural that when there is a tragedy in the small town (Willa’s rape), Willa’s family turns to the church for solace and answers. Willa’s father forces her to go to pastor Spark. He is speaking on behalf of the church, and he is viewed as the link between God and the people. He speaks because he is believed to have authority and the ability to give helpful advice. However, he begins to blame Willa for what happened to her. He asks her questions such as, “you sure you weren’t drinking anything that day, Willa?” (Steinke 187). Willa realizes that she is not in a safe place, and she starts to feel apprehensive about sharing any information with the pastor. The pastor is using blame to punish Willa. He believes that Willa has made a mistake, and that she must be punished for the horrible acts that she committed at that party. When Willa tells him that she is having frightening visions, he dismisses her beliefs. Willa’s is surprised, thinking “it hadn't occurred to her that he’d accuse her of arrogance” (Steinke 189). After her visit to the church, Willa realizes more than ever that she has nowhere to turn, no solid support system.

Work Cited

Steinke, Rene. Friendswood. New York: Penguin Random House, 2014. Print.