Brothers and Sisters are as Close as Hands and Feet

Even though we have only read three chapters of Jason’s narration, up to this point, I can already make out a distinct similarity between Jason and Holden Caulfield. This being the strong bond each of the these boys have with their sisters.  Although it may seem that Holden values his sister, Phoebe, more than Jason, and that could be because she is younger than him, but I can also see the way Jason admires his older sister, Julia.  

At this point, Jason has yet to state out front that he truly admires Julia, but we can see the signs. “Life must be pretty brill for Julia. She’s eighteen, she’s leaving Black Swan Green in a few months, she’s got a boyfriend with a sports car, she gets twice as much pocket money as me, and she can make other people do whatever she wants with words. Just words” (36). One interpretation of this could be that Jason is totally jealous of Julia and the way things seem to go her way in life, just by her using cohesive words.  But the admiration is clear when we read about the Lambs coming over for dinner. Uncle Brian presses the topic of why Julia didn’t choose to go to Oxford or Cambridge for college. Even though Julia, and her mother, insist that they both think Edinburgh and Durham are great fits for Julia, Uncle Brian won’t have it, insisting that “only at Oxford can you network with tomorrow’s elite” (52). Even when he is hushed by Aunt Alice, Uncle Brian still won’t stop, until Julia talks back. She calmly says: “I intend to study law in Edinburgh, and all the Brian Lambs of tomorrow will have to do their networking without me” (52). Of which Jason responds that “[he’d’ve] never got away with saying that, ever” (52). Jason internally applauds Julia’s capability to stand up for herself and her life choices to an adult figure.  It seems as though Julia has come of age, and Jason admire and awaits the time when he too will become as confident and mature as she.

Even though Jason may be jealous of the lack of Hangman in Julia’s life, he finds himself in awe when she stands up for him during their time with the Lamb brothers.  When Mrs. Taylor decides to mention that Jason has won a local poetry contest and that he got his mugshot and poem printed in The Malvern Gazetteer.  Once this is mentioned, Alex Lamb takes the opportunity to tease Jason by prodding him to show his poem, asking him to “at least tell us what your poem was about, Jason. The blossoms of spring? Or was is a love poem?” (49). At this point, Jason is totally embarrassed for even the slightest mention of his interest in poetry in front of the Lambs, specifically Hugo. Fortunately for Jason, Julia steps in, remarking that “can’t see you getting much out of it, Alex...Jason’s work lacks the subtlety and maturity of the Scorpions” (49). Not only has Julia stood up for Jason, her little brother, but she has also subtly proved her acceptance of Jason’s interest in poetry, or at least her respect. Jason even remarks that “[he] could have kissed Julia out of sheer gratitude” (49). This is a huge development in Jason’s and Julia’s relationship, and it shows how close they are becoming.

This relationship between Jason and Julia that is gradually forming reminds me of Holden’s and Phoebe’s bond.  Although it may not be as strong as Holden’s and Phoebe’s, they are beginning to truly care for each other as the book progresses and Jason is forced to stand up for himself and face his fears, with a little help from his older sister along the way.