Student Question
What do Lorraine's and John's future dreams reveal about their personalities?
Quick answer:
Lorraine's dream of becoming a writer reflects her analytical and introspective personality, as she prefers observing and understanding people, using writing as an outlet for her insights. John's aspiration to be an actor aligns with his outgoing and social nature; his talent for lying and entertaining suggests he enjoys being in the spotlight. Both characters support each other's dreams, highlighting their mutual respect and understanding despite differing parental expectations.
John wants to become an actor and Lorraine wants to become a writer. These are both artistic and creatively expressive aspirations. John is a very out-going, social guy who likes to entertain people and be the center of attention. Lorraine is more of an analytical thinker and whose idea it is to write the story of the Pigman. They both support each other in these goals and desires, too, even though their parents might not. For example, John says he thinks Lorraine could be an actress, too, but her mother would think differently, as in the following passage:
"The way her old lady talks you'd think Lorraine needed internal plastic surgery and seventeen body braces, but if you ask me, all she needs is a little confidence. She's got very interesting green eyes that scan like nervous radar--that is they used to until the Pigman died. Ever since then her...
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eyes have become absolutely still, except when we work on this memorial epic" (19).
Thus, John explains that after the traumatic experience of losing Mr. Pignati, Lorraine only seems to come alive when she is writing.
Lorraine supports John's ambitions to become an actor, too. She notices that he is one of the best liars she's ever known and jokes about him by saying:
"He prevaricates just for prevaricating's sake. . . HIs own life is so boring when measured against his daydreams that he can't stand it, so he makes up things to pretend it's exciting" (27).
Since John is such a good liar, he could probably be able to take on any role in Hollywood. He was such a good actor when they met Mr. Pignati, for example, that he was able to con him out of $10.00. John is also the one who isn't afraid to skate around the house during a party to get attention. Because of his very social personality, he would make a great actor.
Lorraine might need a little more confidence, but she also tends to be the conscience between the two. For example, she tells John that they need to confess to Mr. Pignati about swindling him out of the money and she is very good and seeing people from their points of view. Being compassionate and insightful is a good quality to have as an author.
In The Pigman, what do Lorraine's and John's dreams reveal about their personalities?
"But that’s how it always is. Lorraine remembers the big words, and I remember the action. Which sort of makes sense when you stop to think that Lorraine is going to be a famous writer and I’m going to be a great actor."
Lorraine's dream is to become a writer. The dream fits her personality quite nicely. She's a subdued character. She has no desire to be the prom queen or little Miss Popular. She prefers to sit back and analyze situations and people. Being a writer would allow her to do that. She could incorporate the world that she sees and analyzes into her writing. Her writing would serve as an outlet for her sensitive and analytical nature.
John's dream is to become an actor. What John doesn't know is that he already is an actor. He's just not pulling a paycheck for it. John is a compulsive liar. He lies to everybody except Lorraine. Combined with his good looks, his ability to lie so well gives John the ability to be anybody that he needs to be in any given situation. John's dream to be actor would allow him to use the skills he already has in order to support himself financially.