The Greasers of Greasy Lake

A detailed Summary of The Greasers of Greasy Lake

The modern world is much like T. Coraghessan Boyle's short story "Greasy Lake." In a society based on grunge, teenagers' make an attempt at a lifestyle pushing the limits of morality. The setting takes place near a run down polluted lake where people go to party and hangout. Identities are created and discovered. The three greasy characters of this essay are of the average punk rock 'n rollers, creating a theme of unforgettable revelation. What was once sweet is only bittersweet; in the end the James Dean aspect of life seemed better lived in the imagination rather than in real life.

As the title implies, "Greasy Lake" is the place for action-of all sorts. What was once a serene and beautiful lake-ideal for meditation-became run down with marijuana stubs, beer cans, and liquor bottles. The only thing clean would be the heart of town, which remains quiet and dead because the teens feel the outskirts are what's 'in.' The "street lights [gave] way to the thin steaming illumination of the headlights, [with] trees crowding the asphalt in a black unbroken wall . . ." (Boyle 129). The run-down lake offers a place to hangout, lacks the threat of parents, and offers the opportunity to meet new face

In the end, what the young boys idolized was what was uncertain and unexpected. They would have eventually lived the life of "fallen angels" (Walker). Before the legendary night at the lake, the boys were certain that their life would have been lived the best being feared by others; but what's the point in living a life that has to inflict fear that's not natural. A rebel is naturally feared and gawked upon. It's not a glamorous life. The setting of Greasy Lake provided the vibe of rebellion and mischief. The main character, Digby and Jeff grew accustomed to the lifestyle and the aura, but were rebels themselves in the end. Life turned out to be the sweetest, when it was lived correctly-in the right light and atmosphere. Only then could the true identities be truly idolized and cherished.

And the analogy is accurate. The environment produces the rotten attitude of such youth. Never learning from their experiences, such young men desire the taste of rebellion but are uncertain with how to confront the scent and yet, savor it. With flesh looming before their eyes, the boys have yet to realize that they have no life. If the girls have no interest in any crowd but their own, the boys are merely asking for trouble. Nonetheless, what else is to be expected from Greasy Lake?

The overall theme of the novel is simple: the life idolized is bittersweet. The boys were "expert[s] in the social graces" and aspired to be many things greater than what they were capable. Pimping around in mom and dad's car was a lot sweeter than having to maintain a Harley; acting like a rebel was better than having to beat up an individual who, one had never met; having a girl than actually having to force her would be even more memorable. The things that were given were realized to be greater than those forced to be received.

Hanging out with friends and being a teen is something that is ordinarily expected. The teens at Greasy Lake are teens that have yet to discover their true selves. Many live in the shadows of what parents want them to be and others do drastic things to gain attention and fit in with the crowd. In a sense, the main character, Digby and Jeff are a head above the rest-they realized what they do not want to be-a greaser. Alcohol and dru

Some common words found in the essay are:
James Dean, Greasy Lake, Digby Jeff, greasy lake, main character, boyle 129, Coraghessan Boyle's, living life, digby jeff, james dean, main character digby, what's living life, boyle 129, character digby jeff, alcohol drugs, what's living, lake offers, character digby,

Approximate Word count = 1528
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English