“Friends are medicine for a wounded heart, and vitamins for a hopeful soul" (Steve Maraboli). This quotation reflects life and a person’s need or benefit from friendship, and is exceptionally true in Stephen King’s novel, “The Long Walk”. The boys in the Walk that form bonds make it substantially farther than those who do not. The significance of friendship is seen through the relationship between Ray Garraty and Peter McVries, the bond between the “Musketeers”, and the lack of friends that Gary Barkovich makes. Friendships not only prolong the boys’ survival, but also provide comfort in the final moments of their lives.
Friendships are developed over weeks and months, but in the case of Garraty and McVries, they do not have the luxury of time. These two develop a close bond early in the Walk, which leads them to rescue each other’s lives on several occasions, and ultimately results in Garraty’s victory. An example of a time when McVries saves Garraty’s life is when Garraty is unable to control his …show more content…
Throughout the Walk, he alienates himself from the other boys by being rude and tactless. As a result, none of the boys want to have anything to do with him, and they shun him. Barkovich becomes increasingly isolated and despondent, which ultimately results in his demise. Before his death, Barkovich talks with Garraty about having no friends: “‘I just wanted to tell you… make you see… a guy’s got to have some friends. Who wants to die hated, if you got to die, that’s the way I look at it’” (King, 77). Barkovich’s lack of friendship drives him to momentarily forget his pride and promise to dance on the other boys’ graves. This cry for help demonstrates what happens when a person is not able to gain or keep friendships, especially during challenging situations. Unlike the other boys, Barkovich dies alone and terrified, which as they discover, is worse than dying
Friendships are developed over weeks and months, but in the case of Garraty and McVries, they do not have the luxury of time. These two develop a close bond early in the Walk, which leads them to rescue each other’s lives on several occasions, and ultimately results in Garraty’s victory. An example of a time when McVries saves Garraty’s life is when Garraty is unable to control his …show more content…
Throughout the Walk, he alienates himself from the other boys by being rude and tactless. As a result, none of the boys want to have anything to do with him, and they shun him. Barkovich becomes increasingly isolated and despondent, which ultimately results in his demise. Before his death, Barkovich talks with Garraty about having no friends: “‘I just wanted to tell you… make you see… a guy’s got to have some friends. Who wants to die hated, if you got to die, that’s the way I look at it’” (King, 77). Barkovich’s lack of friendship drives him to momentarily forget his pride and promise to dance on the other boys’ graves. This cry for help demonstrates what happens when a person is not able to gain or keep friendships, especially during challenging situations. Unlike the other boys, Barkovich dies alone and terrified, which as they discover, is worse than dying