The Story Flight

Question: Did Pepe ever become a man in the story Flight written by John Steinbeck? Answer: The story Flight reveals the tale of Pepe who happens to be a happy teenager and is described as an easygoing person who generally remains lazy. His mother Mamma Torres waits for him to grow up and actually become a man. He commits a murder on one instance and as expressed by the narrator, he does become a man (Bloom). This particular murder was committed by him using the knife of his father. Mamma Torres often compares her son Pepe to her hardworking husband who is no more alive. When in the story Pepe wields his fathers knife, it symbolizes his completion of childhood and entrance into manhood. He made use of the knife in the same way as his father but the only difference was that he used the knife with intent to kill a person. In the initial part of the story, Pepes mother was represented as a total caregiver of Pepe who scolds him but at the same time also feeds him. She takes care of Pepe and looks after all his requirements. Steinbeck uses the maternal figure in the story to convey the idea that Pepe actually grew up to become a man. In spite of giving him all the care, when Pepe goes to the city all alone, his mother confers a greater sense of responsibility on him. She gives up her hold on the family and in order to transform her son to a man, she bestows greater responsibilities over him. Pepe on the other hand, uses this opportunity with full enthusiasm and rather than getting through a small journey, he is made to confront death (Steinbeck). Pepes mother had put in a lot of trust over him and ultimately he succeeds in keeping through that trust. He leaves his boyhood behind and makes his journey. Steinbeck has very judiciously used characterization in order to convey the reflective change that took place in Pepe. Pepe, who once happened to be a lazy, euphoric teenager, metamorphoses into an entirely different person. The narrator in the story clearly indicates that He was changed. He further continues to state that There was no laughter in them (eyes) any more or any bashfulness. They were sharp and bright and more purposeful (Steinbeck and Covici). Under the influence of this changed being, Pepe is forced by his instincts to leave his home, his dear siblings, brothers and sisters and most importantly he leaves his mother. He tries hard to keep up the light of manhood that radiates from him. After being left out in the world around him, he has a total absence of security that he used to get in his home. The outside big world extends no shelter to him. This instinct of self realization in the life of Pepe continues till the end of the narration of the story (Steinbeck and WikstroÃÅ'ˆm). It primarily focuses on the survival strategies which Pepe resorts to in his exposure to the outer world after he becomes a man. References Bloom, Harold.John Steinbeck. Broomall, PA: Chelsea House Publishers, 1999. Print. Steinbeck, John, and Karin WikstroÃÅ'ˆm.Flight. [Covelo, Calif. (P.O. Box 156, Covelo, Calif. 95428)]: Yolla Bolly Press, 1984. Print. Steinbeck, John, and Pascal Covici.The Portable Steinbeck. New York: Viking Press, 1971. Print. Steinbeck, John.The Grapes Of Wrath And Other Writings, 1936-1941. New York: Literary Classics of the United States, 1996. Print.