By Emily Pineau
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| Michael Gerhard Martin |
“I wish that I were dead, mangled beyond recognition in a school bus accident, maybe, or popped like a balloon by an oncoming train,” read Michael Gerhard Martin from his short story “Shit Weasel is Late For Class.” This eye-opening piece, which is from Martin’s short story collection Easiest if I Had a Gun, plays a vital role in the universal conversation about bullying, depression, and suicide. When discussing these intense topics in literature it is imperative to find that delicate balance between seriousness and humor. Martin’s execution of this balance is spot on, and the main character Josh becomes even more relatable and realistic with comments like, “… and she also has some junk in the trunk and a weak chin, so I think I have a chance.” Josh, a severely bullied, overweight outcast, has a dry sense of humor that corresponds with his struggle to get through each day. This quality brings Josh to life, and makes him very memorable. In fact, when Martin read this story at Endicott College, it was difficult to remember that the characters and plot are fictional because of how authentic the details and emotions are.
Martin’s raw, compelling, and honest language forces the audience to face the harsh reality of bullying, and all the implications that come along with it. As we follow Josh through high school, we witness the physical, emotional, and sexual abuse that he endures. Although it is heart-wrenching to see Josh spiral deeper into his depression and contemplate his own death, it is crucial that these topics are discussed in works of literature like this, and that readers recognize the patterns found in regards to suicidal behavior, bullying, and depression. In my own writing I am interested in discussing serious topics like these as well, and I deeply admire Martin’s approach to this story.
**** Emily Pineau is an English major at Endicott College. She is the author of No Need to Speak (Endicott College--Ibbetson Street Press-Young Poet Series)
