Preacher's Kid vs. Mental Tragedy

Franklin Graham and George Eastman were both rebels, and both followed the path of the rebel Franklin describes his book. In my mind, though, they weren't exactly cut from the same cloth. For one thing, Franklin was a much milder version of a rebel. Sure, he liked to skirt the system and loved the thrill of not getting caught, but that was the whole of his purpose. His rebellion seemed to be the way he had fun. I'm also a little sympathetic towards Franklin, because he was being forced to live a life he hated at Stony Brook. Some of the things he did, like smoking, were his way of coping. His bad habits left the school with him, though.

Our friend Mr. Eastman however, was not the likable Franklin Graham. I think that's the biggest difference I see in the characters. Franklin has that infectious, friendly, daredevil kind of character, while the minute George starts talking you know something is wrong with him. At first, I felt sorry for George. When he was given the chance of a lifetime at the factory, though, I guess I thought he'd be more grateful. George thought everyone owed him something, and he used that complex to excuse every selfish thing he did. He skirted the system because he thought he was above it. When he got in deep with Al, though, he became something much worse than a rebel. They say a wild animal is most dangerous when cornered. George was cornered, and refused to surrender and face the consequences of his rebellion. That's another line I draw between George and Franklin. Franklin knew when to fold.

Though they're very different, Franklin and George do share some similarities. Like I said before, Franklin was merely a milder version of a rebel. Even though he didn't go as far as George in rebelling, he was still wrong. George's mentality was that of "my choices are justified by my circumstance." Franklin carried this mentality to a point, but past that, he knew he had to take responsibility for his actions. George and Franklin shared the advantage of being able to go home if life fell apart on them. George was simply too proud to go home. Franklin was proud, but knew to admit defeat when he was in over his head.

In the end, I think family was what kept Franklin from following the path of George. His family gave Franklin a sense of honor. George's family gave him a sense of embarrassment. Billy Graham never pushed his faith on his son. George's dad crammed it down his throat. Franklin chose Christ of his own will. George ran from anything spiritual as soon as he could. Influences of the world surrounded George, and he ultimately loved the world to death. Influences for God were with Franklin everywhere he went, and he eventually gave up his life to Christ.