I Just Wanna Be Average Mike Rose Analysis

In the story, "I Just Wanna Be Average" the main character, Mike Rose, takes us through his years at Mercy High School during the 1960's and 1970s. Although many people appear in this story, the main people are Ted Richard, Ken Harvey and Mr. Macfarland. Ted Richards was a bit of a dream, turning his back on the real world and just let his mind roam. Ted was always laughing, his loud and jolly voice booming out. Even when he'd get angry, he'd give a little smile. Ken Harvey became a central figure when he suddenly announces, "I just wanna be average." Those words would lodge in mike's mind for years before he actually got it. Then there was Mr. Macfarland, who came into Mike's life at the perfect time. With no living father, he logged up too many years of scholastic indifference. Mr. Macfarland had earned his masters degree and wanted to share his overwhelming passion for knowledge and education. Having a teacher like him made a vast difference in Mike's life. When I was reading this story one quote that
To me average was me trying to fit in with everyone else and be just like everyone else, but I didn't know. So I took my chances and I changed. I changed my attitude, I changed my looks, my clothing and I even stopped being friends with some people just so I can be friends with the popular people. In my eyes the popular kids were "average." They were amazing, perfect at everything, had tons of friends, got what they want, they always got the boyfriends and girlfriends and also they had the looks and I didn't really have any of that stuff. After a week of trying to impress the "popular kids" I decided to just stop and be myself. I remember saying, "I am my own average. Nobody will take that from me." and what I meant by that is, I'll be myself, I shouldn't have to change my appearance, attitude and friends just to become one of the other