"Carl grew up with financial security, went to boarding school, and became a lawyer. Jed was adopted by parents who had little interest in him, had to join R.O.T.C. to pay for college, and always felt he had a more precarious grip on success."
"Carl's upbringing contributed to his complacency, for sure. He is unlikely to experience the kind of discomfort that would motivate him to aspire to more, and may think that his decency is a sufficient achievement."
"Jed, for all his charm, is just feral. Few people had a hand in his upbringing. Women are attracted to him, and that has been all the motivation he's needed."
"Carl is decent but a little dull. Jed behaves badly, and arguably gets more pleasure out of life. The voice of the story reflects these contrasting personalities."
Carl and Jed's friendship is rooted in their contrasting backgrounds. Carl, raised in financial security, becomes complacent and dull, while Jed, with a troubled upbringing, is more feral and impulsive. Their differing trajectories influence their personalities, with Carl's decency masking a lack of ambition and Jed's charm stemming from a lack of guidance. The story culminates in Jed's solitary state, reflecting his nature and future. The narrative delves into themes of friendship, personal growth, and the impact of upbringing on character development.
Read at The New Yorker
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