The Pigman
pigman | | THE PIGMAN | | | SETTINGThe novel, The Pigman, is set in New York City in the specific neighborhood and school, specifically Franklin High School, of John Conlan and Lorraine Jensen circa 1968. CHARACTER LIST Major Characters John Conlan
He is a sophomore in a New York City high school. He is terribly dissatisfied with his life and misbehaves in interesting ways to try to give meaning to his own existence. He appears to have great potential and wants to be an actor. Like most teens, he will eventually discover that he, and he alone, makes his life whatever it will become. John is a complicated guy. First of all, he has a real problem with any kind of authority. He is in constant conflict with his father; he lies to his teachers and refers to them as "retarded." In fact, he lies to pretty much everybody, except Lorraine. In school he spends his time setting off firecrackers in the bathroom and playing pranks on substitutes, though he says those days are behind him now. Despite disliking authority figures and school, he's really smart and can get good grades when he wants to. However, more often he uses his intelligence, good looks, and charm to manipulate people. Lorraine tells us that John is "extremely handsome" (2), and John immodestly agrees: "Like Lorraine told you, I really am very handsome and I do have fabulous eyes" (3). John writes that he's "going to be a great actor" (3), and, with his good looks and imagination, we can well believe it. John also has a softer, compassionate side, and thinks deeply about the meaning of life and death. Lorraine tells us that John would be "the last person on earth" (2) to show that he has compassion, and that he pretends he doesn't care about anything in the world. He is only fifteen, but is already a heavy drinker and a heavy smoker. Let's break this down:John and his ParentsJohn does not get along with his parents, especially his father, whom he refers to as "Bore." One of the first things we learn
He is a sophomore in a New York City high school. He is terribly dissatisfied with his life and misbehaves in interesting ways to try to give meaning to his own existence. He appears to have great potential and wants to be an actor. Like most teens, he will eventually discover that he, and he alone, makes his life whatever it will become. John is a complicated guy. First of all, he has a real problem with any kind of authority. He is in constant conflict with his father; he lies to his teachers and refers to them as "retarded." In fact, he lies to pretty much everybody, except Lorraine. In school he spends his time setting off firecrackers in the bathroom and playing pranks on substitutes, though he says those days are behind him now. Despite disliking authority figures and school, he's really smart and can get good grades when he wants to. However, more often he uses his intelligence, good looks, and charm to manipulate people. Lorraine tells us that John is "extremely handsome" (2), and John immodestly agrees: "Like Lorraine told you, I really am very handsome and I do have fabulous eyes" (3). John writes that he's "going to be a great actor" (3), and, with his good looks and imagination, we can well believe it. John also has a softer, compassionate side, and thinks deeply about the meaning of life and death. Lorraine tells us that John would be "the last person on earth" (2) to show that he has compassion, and that he pretends he doesn't care about anything in the world. He is only fifteen, but is already a heavy drinker and a heavy smoker. Let's break this down:John and his ParentsJohn does not get along with his parents, especially his father, whom he refers to as "Bore." One of the first things we learn