Analysis Of 'Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock'

The novel Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock by Matthew Quick is a riveting novel that will keep you reading until page 273. The beginning of this novel starts on the main character, Leonard Peacocks, 18th birthday, and takes place within 24 hours of his beloved day. This day is a very eventful for Leonard, not only is it his birthday, but it is also the day he wants to become a suicide murder. What has driven Leonard to such a horrific state of mind? Was it his neglectful mother, or lack of friends? Perhaps the fact that he was raped by classmate Asher Beal, or was it the fact that his closest companion was a decaying old neighbor whose only motivation in life was to watch old Bogart films. All, unfortunately in the book Leonard is brought down so much so by life he can't find a hope in humanity anymore and in his perspective, he's finding control in his life by ending it. In this inciting novel Leonard is trying to find one thing, one glimmer of hope, something, anything to make him feel as though this life is worth sticking around for. Throughout the book protagonist Leonard looks up to his favorite school teacher, one of the four people he holds nearest to his heart, Herr Silverman. Near the conclusion of the book Herr takes leonard home, breaking all ethical morals, and tells him how he understands life sucks right now, …show more content…
As Leonard says a voicemail in the book one specific line stands out showing Leonards realisation of his mistakes and fogged point of view. “...Dont worry about me. I just had a bad night. I'll be okay.”(256-257) This line stands out because he is recognizing his 18th birthday was filled with awful thoughts and urges, but he is doing better to the point where he not only trusts himself, but his future as