Fall From Innocence

“Fall from Innocence.” It is the subtitle for The Body. Stephen King used a wonderful double meaning expression. The story takes place in fall, as the boys go out for an adventure. Another meaning is the departure from innocence, indicating that the novella is a coming-of-age story. The “innocence” likely represents the pre-maturity of the boys, and departure means becoming mature. Four characters appear in the story, and I would like to focus on Gordon Lachance.

           Gordon, well-known as Gordie, is the narrator of The Body. He is speaking in an adult’s point of view as he is tracing back his memories to when he was twelve years old. The moment Gordie is describing is basically the turning point of his life, as he goes through the journey. Gordie is a normal yet different boy. His elder brother Dennis died in a car accident. After the accident, Gordie’s parents, who were more affectionate of Dennis, became more ignorant and indifferent towards Gordie. Gordie is somewhat upset, but he tries to understand his parents. Mostly, Gordie receives comfort from his best friend, Chris Chambers. Chris and Gordie share the similarity of having imperfect parents. Chris’s father is usually drunk and beats up Chris. Chris is seen to be smart, but no one truly cares about him. However, Gordie and Chris care for each other. Both share friendship as they understand each other and try to be help for each other. As they think about each other, both become more thoughtful than ever, growing up.

           Seeing the dead body of Ray Brower gives sense to Gordie about what real death is. Gordie expresses as "The kid was can't, don't, won't, never, shouldn't, wouldn't, could'nt." The kid just met death when he was trying to pick up berries. Here, Gordie seems to understand something. Later, in adulthood, Gordon realizes the truth of departure. "Friends come in and out of your life like busboys in a restaurant, did you ever notice that?" As meeting is sudden, departure is also sudden, and one can't do anything about it. Same with death. Gordon phrases as "Some people drown, that's all. It's not fair, but it happens." Death has no reason, and it is not fair to everyone, but it happens. Death is something natural, and as Gordie understands that, he becomes more mature than ever.

           Probably, the point where Gordon becomes mature is when the boys face Ace Merrill. They started their journey for fame to become heroes, but they end up respecting dead Ray Brower. With the braveness coming from respect, Gordie and Chris fights off Ace Merrill. The turning point is later acknowledged by the adult Gordon, a period of "fall from innocence."