Greasy Lake - Metaphors

Greasy Lake was an interesting story and full of metaphors. The whole thing is just rather ironic. These 'bad' nineteen-year-olds are putting SO much effort into looking like they don't care. I made a connection between them and people here. Yeah, yeah, they're just looking to get drunk and high and it's like Athens and all that. Yeah. But, a lot of people here seem to try to look like they don't care. You know the look. Sloppy ponytail, sweatshirt, sweatpants, and of course, Uggs. It's doubtful, but maybe, MAYBE, when that look first happened somebody just really didn't give a shit. But, now it's turned into a trend. It's pretty cool to pretend that you don't care how you look but in reality everyone is paying so close attention to the detail of looking sloppy that they couldn't care more. ANYWAY... Onward to metaphors!!

The lake itself is a metaphor for life that used to be simpler, I guess. When we get older we lose our innocence. Our cleanliness, if I may. Yes, our MORAL cleanliness. It is mentioned that the lake used to be clean, clear, nice, and pretty. But, as the years go by everything loses its' cleanness and clearness. Everything and everyone gets murky and dirty and corrupt, it seems.
When he drops his keys it's brilliant! They're at a LAKE. He's says the first mistake (dropping the keys) opens the FLOODwall. He SPILLS his keys rather than drops them. Finally, he describes the night/darkness as a PUDDLE. Props, T.C. Boyle. Seriously.

I also love how all these guys are so 'bad'. He says he's with a couple of 'bad' characters. I mean, come on, one of them goes to CORNELL and the other wants to become a painter, or something of the like. Yeah, they sound like really scary guys. He, the narrator, when talking about the tire iron, even mentions the fact that he hasn't been in a fight since 6TH GRADE. They are truly scary. I wouldn't mess with them for my life.

Lastly, when they get caught trying to rape the girl they all run away. The narrator says that he is 'already ankle-deep in muck and tepid water and still going strong'. Why, yes you are. Not only is he actually, literally, ankle deep in muck, he's in a shit ton of trouble. He's done several things that are pretty terrible and he knows that it's not getting any better.

This story was great!! I greatly enjoyed it. It was both terrible and hilarious but, the combination was wonderful.