No Grey Areas By Mark Johnston Analysis

The black and white imagery in the story reveals that no person is good or bad. In the short story "No Gray Areas" written by Mark, Johnston shows the white Mark and black Scott. Which causes each other to long for a gray area. Mark finds purpose in getting good grades. He has gotten black imprinted A's in a white report card. On the other hand, Scott was mischievous. Always got out of trouble and never does any work. Mark finds purpose in getting good grades. He finds out while Scott is challenging him to break free, that he isn't really doing this all for himself. He says, "Just once, how good it would feel, I often thought to myself" (4). Scott hasn't changed since 1st grade. He is bothering Mark to do something freeing. Mark realizes
that he is fight that urge. He is caving, "In the spring of fourth grade, I took that journey" (4). He is realizing that he doesn't need to change to be more like Scott. Which causes him to have a true moment with Scott and his teacher. Mark takes the math test which is causing him to realize he has to face the truth. His teacher, Mrs. Patt is disappointed in Mark she thinks he was a head on his shoulders. Mark takes his math test. Mrs. Patt says, "Zero wrong" (11). What Mark hears is that he is forgiven. He is being confused and math is like a black and white world there is no confusion. So, when Mrs. Patt says zero wrong everything is black and white again. Mark says, "And in that smile, I saw forgiveness and a sign that the gray skies were turning blue again" (11). Mark can relaxe and be a kid again. Mark is learning that he doesn't need to be mischievous, he just needs to be himself.