Long Way Down Research Paper

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Ishaan Dixit Dahl May 7th, 2024 Long Way Down Persuasive Essay ENL1W Breaking the Cycle Revenge is an interesting thing. Taking it can give an elusive feeling of satisfaction and a crushing feeling of emotional emptiness, but worse than that, is the cycle it can cause. Revenge can be taken and taken for the rest of eternity. After every instance, a choice is given: break, or continue the cycle. Usually, revenge is always the wrong choice of action. But what if revenge was heavily encouraged? What if there was a world where revenge was a rule? In Jason Reynolds’ novel Long Way Down, the reader is plunged into this world of multi-generational revenge. After his brother, Sean, gets shot as an act of revenge, the protagonist, Will, is given the option …show more content…
This confrontation with Buck sets the stage for Will’s internal struggle, indicating that revenge might not bring him the closure he seeks. Another reason for Will’s restraint is the influence the ghosts have on him. The spirits Will meets during his descent in the elevator bring a sense of history and legacy to his journey. These ghosts, including his father and uncle, demonstrate the generational impact of violence and the toll it takes on families. Will’s encounter with his father, Mikey, is particularly significant. Mikey’s life was cut short by violence, introducing the idea that revenge does not lead to resolution, but rather to more loss and heartache. Mikey’s death leaves Will without a father, and Buck saying, “Shawn stuck to the rules like any other ordinary kid. He was shot and killed. ” (267) solidified the concept. This meeting with his father serves as a warning, illustrating the risks of following the Rules. Will realizes that by shooting Riggs, he might continue the cycle of violence, ultimately leaving his own family in