Character development and survival in Snowbound by Harry Mazer

¶ … Bound by Harry Mazer

Snowbound is a book written by Harry Mazer. It was inscribed in the early 1970s, precisely around 1973. The book traces to the genre of fiction, but it also translates to adventure and means of survival. The book was written to address to young adults as its main audience.

Characters

The main characters that Mazer represented in the book were Tony and Cindy. Tony is a hardheaded teenager practicing uncouth behavior. He is emotionally disturbed throughput the course of the story due to the restrictions posed onto him by his parents. Cindy is also characterized by bad habitual traits. She is an easygoing reckless girl, easily swayed by the wind to fit into people with similar traits as hers. Other characters represented are Tony's parents, Tony's uncle and a lady who acts as a Good Samaritan at the scene of the accident.

Setting

The story is set from the author's familiarity with an urban state. In comparison to today's environment, Mazer wrote the story, with the upper New York State in mind. The environment of the story is characterized by unfriendly climatic conditions. This was represented by snow and storm, depicting the midst of the winter season. The surroundings represented show residential areas and well-organized infrastructure.

Plot

The plot begins with the developing transition of Tony into teenage hood. Tony finds a stray dog, feels remourseful for him, and decides to keep it. However, his parents are not in line with keeping the dog but try their best in providing the basics of Tony's life. This triggers a hitch of rebellion from Tony, and decides to undertake a drastic action to give a lesson to his parents. He takes up the auto (model- Plymouth) belonging to his parents and decides to go forth with it to his uncle's house as a way of skipping school. In the process, he meets up a teenage girl, Cindy, apparently of the same characteristics, as his, but do not really get along. Cindy is well-known for being a hitchhiker. She dresses inappropriately for what she is to fathom ahead. Tony tries to please Cindy by showing off his driving skills; however, due to reckless driving and inattentiveness, Tony and Cindy crash upon a desolate area and end up lost but later come across a remote area with picnic tables and washrooms. They stick around the area bickering, and it finally comes to their realization that they have to cooperate to get help for their survival. A lady accidentally finds them and takes Tony, who was gravely injured during the adventurous tour by suffering a fractured leg. Cindy makes it home, but with conflicting issues bothering her conscience. The story ends by mending the conceited behavior from both Tony and Cindy.

Resolution

The resolution of the story takes place mostly at the hospital. Tony contemplates on his obnoxious behavior and attributes his survival to God. In the event of remembrance of his behavior, he amazes everyone by transforming his behavior. Similarly, the protagonists, Tony's and parents and the antagonist, Tony comes to terms of understanding. Tony ends up appreciating his second chance by learning the hard way.

Themes/Lessons

The lesson learnt in the story is about solving problems through identity and change. Cindy and Tony do not get along but their circumstances force them to realize that they have their strengths and weaknesses. They come together despite their differences, and the fact that they do not like each other to solve a common problem. They are forced to mature in order to survive. Forgiveness and second chances are also lessons that Mazer, wants his audience to contemplate. Teenagers always trip but as they transit into being youths, they pass through situations that allow them to gain experience and accept their stature, despite being at an adventurous stage. As a teenager, one has to learn that comfort of material things in snot imperative. Instead, Mazer tries to exemplify that one has to solve upcoming dilemmas brought about by survival strategies.