Immaurity In T. C. Boyle's Greasy Lake

The unnamed narrator and protagonist from the short story, “Greasy Lake,” by T.C. Boyle makes a shocking display of immaturity in youth. The protagonist is introduced as an upper-middle class male with lower class intentions. In pursuit of some late-night fun at the local hangout, he and his two comrades encounter a little more mischief than they were hoping for. Quickly, his rebellion against society leaves him in a dangerous and unforgiving position that causes him to rethink his outlook on life. Coming from an average suburban upbringing, the protagonist of the story displays identity confusion based on his own background and the actions and influences of his peers as well as the media of the time. In a setting as quiet as the town, sheer lack of excitement was enough incentive to go out and get into mischief for him and his peers. The “nature” of their actions were, to him, human nature in the
As if it the night had not gone bad enough already, the boy finds a dead body in the woods that horrifies distracts him for a moment. Already in shock, he turns his head to witness the young girl’s rescuers demolishing his mother’s car. At this moment, he realizes that this “nature” that he is embracing is a harsher reality than what he is acknowledging it to be (Boyle). The rest of the night was spent wallowing in dirt and mud, regretting everything, and waiting for the sun to rise. When daylight comes, he and the boys regroup only to encounter two young broads who want to do drugs and party. Although it was really what they had been searching for all along, the boys deny their request and decide to go home instead. In one night, his fast paced life as a thug was over. Left to deal with the consequences of what he had done already, the protagonist of this story will surely never go down a path like that ever