Student Question
What impression does Franklin's advice on handling "Trouble" in Gary D. Schmidt's novel Trouble give you?
Quick answer:
Franklin's advice on handling "Trouble" in Gary D. Schmidt's novel suggests that he equates overcoming physical challenges, like climbing Katahdin, with demonstrating strength and resilience. However, his actions reveal a darker side, as he uses violence and intimidation, particularly against Chay Chouan, a Cambodian refugee, to handle "Trouble." This behavior indicates Franklin's prejudiced and cruel nature, showing that his definition of handling trouble involves bullying and hate crimes.
During a flashback in Chapter 3 of Gary D. Schmidt's Trouble, we
learn that, when Henry had asked Franklin why he wanted to climb Katahdin,
Franklin had said doing so shows "you have guts" and can "handle Trouble." Yet,
Franklin's interpretation of what trouble is and how
to handle it shows that he is a prejudiced, cruel
bully.
In Chapter 3, Franklin explains that a trail leading to the summit of Katahdin
is called the Knife Edge, which at one point is nothing but a
narrow ridge with a steep drop on either side. Many have died hiking the Knife
Edge. Since hiking Katahdin is so dangerous, in Franklin's mind, successfully
doing so shows that "you have guts. You can handle anything," like trouble.
Yet, Franklin also continues to describe a recent moment in which he "handled
Trouble." It was a moment in which he shoved someone "up on the wall" and held
him at a stranglehold because the person was flirting with Louisa. Later,
during Chay Chouan's trial, we learn Franklin had attacked
Chay and had held him in a stranglehold until he went unconscious;
then, Franklin had left him unconscious on the floor. Since we know Franklin
had attacked Chay, we know Franklin had done so out or racial prejudices.
Because Chay is a Cambodian refugee, Franklin did not want Chay spending time
with his sister. Hence, we see that Franklin's idea of handling
trouble is committing hate crimes, which tells us
that, while alive, he was prejudiced and cruel.
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