Life After High School Life After High School
Life After High School is not an unusual story in itself but does maintain a high standard of literary value. Oates vividly recaptures the trials and tribulations of adolescent life combined with the potential trauma. Sunny, Zach, and the rest of Oate's characters are typical and universal. The story is timeless in respect to its message. Oates portrays the confused life of the high school years. Oates includes the popular cheerleaders, the lovable and admired high school female figure, and the scholarly and intellectually mature valedictorian. Oates incorporates the important issues of sexuality and mortality into the story as well. The delicate and often veiled subject of homosexuality is embodied by Zachary. Oates masterfully denotes the confusion and guilt associated with such initial personal conflict. She also addresses the ever- important issue of suicide. Oates manages to create the horror and shock of those close to the deceased. In Life After High School, Sunny transcends the youthful circumambience of juvenility when Zach dies. Sunny quickly disposes of the nickname and returns to her true name; Barbara. This event signifies the end of adolescence for Sunny and introduces her to the adult world of heartache and responsibility. This momentous moment prepares Sunny for the enormous tasks that lay ahead. Once prepared for this, Sunny accepts the responsibilities and excels in all positions. Zach's death, in this regard, could be considered Barbara's birth. Sunny dies with Zach and Barbara resumes the journey that Sunny has prepared.
