Redemption

Written by John Gardner, Redemption is a short story about a tragic accident that occured to one unfortunate family. Jack Hawthorne, a twelve-year-old boy, ran over his brother, David, a seven-year-old. David was killed in the accident because Jack was too shocked to step on the breaks. Racked with guilt, Jack goes through time trying to find an escape from his own thoughts; he not only killed his brother, but murdered him. David noticed how his family were able to deal with this unlucky death; having faith. Both his parents and sister went to their religion for clearification and closure. For instance, at dinner, David wouldn't say grace. His sister took that to mean that, "If he wouldn't say grace, then perhaps there was no heaven. Their father would never get well, and David was dead." So because he didn't want to scare her, he told her that he had already said it in his head. His sister prayed so that she would feel as though someone were listening to her and taking care of her brother, and in time, her dad. David didn't feel this way so he saught to get his mind off the death anyother way; through music. He played the French horn "more and more now to escape" and "those around him were concious enough of what was happening..." The way he becomes consumed by his music is helping him try to to find redemption for his brother. He feels as though it is all his fault and he is to blame but he is attempting at making it all better. This shows how people rely on religion to solve their problems, but for others, they might find the answer by doing other things.