Jason’s Reflections in the Hall of Mirrors
Jason’s Reflections in the Hall of Mirrors From the start of Black Swan Green, we see much of Jason’s mental anguish arises from a singular issue: his inability to express himself fully and truly. In the beginning of the book, he is obsessed with popularity and “fitting in.” He conforms to the social norms of his rough-minded peers: using an intricate naming system based on social hierarchy, saying slang despite not knowing its meaning, and above all else, hiding his stutter. “Maggot” and “Unborn Twin” are his constant companions, who relentlessly mock him and coerce him into maintaining a social mask. It is not until the Goose Fair that Jason mentally (and according to him, physically ) confronts his alternate personas. Before his journey into the Hall of Mirrors, Jason discovers Ross Wilcox’s wallet (Mitchell 242). While he does not yet consider returning it outright, as he wanders into the Hall of Mirrors, the decision looms in his thoughts, presumably causing the followin...