Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds Book Analysis

In the world, symbols can be found everywhere. Some common symbols are rainbows, which are a symbol of hope and promise, and four-leaf clovers which symbolize good luck and fortune. In his novel Long Way Down, Jason Reynolds uses symbolism to convey ideas poetically rather than saying them outright, leaving them open for the reader's interpretation. Jason Reynolds conveys the idea that the elevator is the most significant symbol in his novel Long Way Down because it symbolizes being forced into an unchangeable fate and being trapped by grief, and rules.

Will feels trapped by the rules in his community and trapped by the grief of his dead brother Shawn. Most of all, Will feels trapped by the unalterable fate he feels forced into, which is to avenge Shawn's death by getting revenge. Once he reaches the lobby, he plans on killing Riggs, the guy who he believes killed Shawn. Will's sense of confinement and being trapped increases when ghosts from his past start joining him on the elevator, begin smoking, and ask Will awkward questions that he had not considered. What if you get the wrong guy? What if you miss? The longer that Will is on the elevator, the more stressed and impatient he becomes. “I wished this stupid elevator would get to L, for this whole thing to hurry up and be done.” (Reynolds, 2017, pg.233) He wants the elevator to get to the lobby so that he doesn't have to think about the choice that he is making by killing Riggs, and how the thought of having killed someone will haunt him for the rest of his life.

When Will first gets into his building's elevator, he thinks to himself about how strange the unspoken elevator rules are. “Those are the rules of an elevator, I guess. No talking. No looking. Stand still, stare at the door, and wait.” (pg.73) The unspoken elevator rules and the “Rules” in Will's community are, unspoken, but everyone knows them and follows them. them. Further, Will admits to himself that he's chosen to be a loser by pushing the L button. This shows that Will does, on some level, understand the consequences of killing Riggs which is likely either going to prison or being killed himself in retaliation.

When the elevator lands on floor number two Will tries to make the door close faster so that no one else can get on “When the elevator door opened no one was there. So, I reached over and pushed the L button again and again and again and again. Because that's what you do when you want the door to close faster” (pg. 281) He doesn't want anyone else to get on the elevator, because he doesn't want anyone else to ask him another question, or to tell him that he doesn't have it in him to get revenge. The more that the ghosts force Will to talk about his plan for killing Riggs, the more resentful and upset he feels about what he’s going to do.

In conclusion, in the novel Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds, the elevator is the most significant symbol. The elevator in Will's building symbolizes the feeling of being trapped and having to confront the past and make decisions in the future. Not only does Will feel trapped by the rules in his community, but he's also trapped by the grief of his dead brother Shawn. The sense of being trapped is something that all humans will experience at some point in their life. They could feel trapped by anxiety, a decision, or a job. It's not about what happens to them to get trapped, it's about what they do to free themselves.