The difference between Jason in the first “January Man” and the final “January Man” are absolutely shocking. More than that though, I noticed a significant difference in Jason during the final “January Man” than during all of the other chapters in the book. While I think looking at that final chapter and comparing it to the first chapter can help you really see all the development made to his character, you can also compare his character to one chapter before and still see a big difference. I think David Mitchell could be showing just how much divorce can age a child by having Jason’s inner monologue seem even more aged after just two weeks.
I think the passage on page 286 when Jason is observing a swan flying over the pond perfectly encapsulates the feeling of a parents separation aging you. Specifically, Jason describes the swan swooping towards its reflection in the water, but hovering over it before violently crashing down. I think the reflection could represent the truth Jason is oblivious to, and how he sees so many clues yet is still hit with his father’s news. “Ducks heckled the swan, but a swan only notices what it wishes to” basically, the truth is right in front of his face, but he is just a child and therefore doesn’t notice or comprehend the more adult issues going on in his life (Mitchell 286). The entire story is filled with such childish and immature concerns like school popularity, that the news of his parents divorce pushes Jason towards maturity too soon. Another way this is represented is when he sees Philip Phelps chasing Grant Burch in the forest and notes that he will never see them again. I think they could still represent the immaturity that Jason is leaving behind. In fact, I think leaving Black Swan Green is very representative of leaving his immaturity and innocence behind.
In another sense, I think this passage could also relate to Jason’s father. “She bent and unbent her neck exactly how Dad does after a very long time” Jason says describing the swan (Mitchell 286). The swan could also be representative of Jason’s dad and how he is completely oblivious to Jason’s bullying because he is too entrenched in the affair business. Even when Jason goes on the work trip with him, his father is constantly being pulled away by work and forgetting about his own son. This can also show how many parents are unfortunately absent when going through marital problems because they forget the child will be just as affected, if not more, than they are. In this quote, the swan is stretching its neck like it’s finally getting a break from hard work. This reminds me of Jason’s father when he came back to get his stuff, and Jason described him as seeming sad but much more at peace. While all the hard work of constantly worrying and dealing with conflict has finished for his dad, all the trouble is beginning for Jason since he has been pushed too early into the realities of the world and will inevitably have trouble coming to terms with such a big change in his life. His dad is stretching his neck and recovering, oblivious to the fact that Jason will never be the same again.
