‘Institutions can change one for better or worse’ this quote is proven in the novel ‘raw’ by Scott Monk and ‘Hero of War’ by Rise Against. Through the contrasting ideas of rebellion and conformity, the responders are able to see how institutions can manipulate one and have a negative or positive impact.
In ‘Raw’ by Scott Monk, Brett uses rebellion to escape from his fears and then be liberated from it; he does this as he believes it is the only way to freedom. When Brett first gets to the farm he is given trust and responsibility straight away which he is not used to as he has never been automatically trusted before. Brett is unaware of how to react to this, as he has only ever experienced negative forms of authority beforehand. Brett believes that Sam is naïve and stupid for giving Brett and the other boys at the farm trust. Sam believes in giving everyone second chances and that if people want to change then it is up to them. The institution can change one for better or worse but it’s up to the persona to allow the change, so if they refuse the tools the institution provides them with, then they will stay the same. The farm as an institution has a positive impact on Brett, because once he starts taking responsibility for his actions then he changes. “…He didn’t want to be here. It was a waste of time…” through the use of third person narration the responders are able to see that Brett’s attitude towards the institution as a whole is that, he believes that this institution is a waste of his time as he believes it isn’t going to help him. Later on in the novel Brett comes to realisation after Josh opens up to him, Brett realises that he shouldn’t blame his actions on everyone else, and that he should take responsibility and live up to the consequences. The responders are able to see how much Brett has changed in the end of the novel when Brett admits that it was his fault that they broke up. “…I’m the one to blame!...” The exclamation mark