Julia is the only stable part of Jason's home life throughout Black Swan Green, and even though Jason dislikes her at the beginning of the book, he comes to realize that they are really allies. In Relatives, Jason is being embarrassed at the dinner table when Helena brings up the poetry award he won. Their cousin Alex starts teasing Jason about it, so Julia stands up for Jason and insults Alex back. Jason is startled by this help from Julia, and thinks, "I could've kissed Julia out of sheer gratitude. Almost."
In Rocks, Julia and Jason seem to ally with each other during their parents' fighting. After one of their parents' big fights, it is revealed to us that Jason and Julia have their own system for ranking fights and they have bonded, even as their parents' relationship is starting to crumble. Jason also looks up to Julia as a voice of reason and power in Rocks. For example, in one section, Julia asks their dad what a Pyrrhic victory is even though she knows the answer because she is trying to make a point to her dad about the fights he is having with their mom. Even though Julia's position as a voice of reason is very prominent is Rocks, Jason looks up to Julia for information and as a role model throughout the novel. Jason often recounts things she has said as truth and he often is impressed with Julia's ability to stand up for truth and what she believes in.
In the last few chapters, Julia's position has crystallized as a role model and voice of reason for Jason. She has gone to college, and he misses her a lot. In Disco, Julia convinces Jason to go to the disco and she instructs him on what to wear and how to get ready. He listens diligently as only a younger sibling listens to advice from an older sibling they have a lot of respect for (I know this dynamic). In January Man (the one at the end), she is home for winter break and to help Jason and their mom move to Cheltenham. She comforts Jason and offers inspiring words to give him hope in this difficult time for Jason. Jason's relationship with Julia solidifies just as their parents' gets rocky (pun somewhat intended), and this is not only unexpected, but also much needed for Jason.
I agree with you except I don't think that Jason ever actually dislikes Julia, more like the usual annoying brother/sister type dynamics siblings have. I think you point out very well the different points in the novel where Julia has a large impact on Jason. In the end she becomes, she becomes an extremely important character in her advice to Jason as well as her overall persona and the role model she is.
ReplyDeleteI also think that Jason does actually like Julia, but it's more of the typical brother/sister dynamic. Even when Julia stands up for Jason, it's like the type of thing where only Julia's allowed to make fun of Jason because he's her brother. As the story progresses, their relationship changes, especially because of the state of their parents' relationship with one another, and I think their liking of each other, then, becomes more obvious.
DeleteI think this view of Julia's role in Jason's life is pretty spot on. I agree with Michelle in that I'm pretty sure Julia and Jason just put on a bit of a facade like many siblings do, but when their parents relationship falls apart, they take the facade away and form a visibly stable relationship with one another.
ReplyDeleteI think it is also important that Julia does not provide wisdom only on personal matters, but also on the Falklands War itself. It is also interesting how, by the end, Jason looks up to Julia the way he did to Hugo earlier, which is interesting to consider, given her counsel on the dance.
ReplyDeleteI would also add the the idea that Julia contributes to his music tastes, which, as we discussed, a large part of Jason's character. The fact that Jason gets his music, news, and pretty much everything from Julia, it can be deduced that Julia's relationship with Jason is huge.
ReplyDeleteLOL THIS IS LITERALLY MY LIFE HOW DID I NOT REALIZE THIS WHEN I WAS FINISHING BLACK SWAN GREEN (well except for the last part about the divorce and moving out -- though our family did go through some rocky times, and my brother and I have bonded over them). Thank you for letting me realize this! I'm not gonna describe in detail what's up with my family because a) you don't want to hear about it b) I guess I kind of have to keep my parent's privacy and c) lol I just don't feel like talking about it.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, Julia is extremely influential as Jason is trying to form his identity. In addition to influencing his music taste and sticking up for him, Julia is everything that Jason strives to be, she does the things that he cannot. So when times are rough, Jason doesn't just get closer to her, he relies on her to do the things that he cannot.
ReplyDeleteHis relationship Julia is, I think, one of the best things that has happened to Jason in this novel. She is really the only person who knows about and supports his poetry, encouraging him to follow that dream. As you say, they did not start out as the closest of siblings, but they become closer as their parents become farther apart.
ReplyDeleteThe development from a stereotypical sibling rivalry into one of Jason's most vital relationships was quite pleasant to experience. I think Julia and her ability to critique authority was especially crucial to Jason being able to overcome his ideas of what he thought was "cool" in the beginning of the novel.
ReplyDeleteThe relationship between Jason and Julia was one of my favorite parts of the book, because my brother is the same age as Jason and so I could totally understand all of their interactions.I really liked the parallels between their parents' deteriorating relationship and their improving relationship.
ReplyDeleteJason and Julia have your typical sibling relationship and it was really cool to watch it grow throughout the novel. Mitchell did a very good job in letting Jason's admiration and appreciation for his sister creep through his annoyance. I loved how the two found a support system and friend in each other as they grew and times changed. Your post is spot on!
ReplyDeleteI liked the Julia and Jason dynamic a lot. When I was a tween I fought with my brothers a lot about me being annoying and in their space, but when it came to my parents doing annoying things we always came together. I think it's a pretty classic sibling dynamic where you pretend to kind of hate your siblings but in reality you love them a lot.
ReplyDeleteason and Julia have your typical sibling relationship and it was really cool to watch it grow throughout the novel. Mitchell did a very good job in letting Jason's admiration and appreciation for his sister creep through his annoyance. I loved how the two found a support system and friend in each other as they grew and times changed.
ReplyDeletethanks for sharing...
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