Unstoppable

These chapters are marked by intense emotional turmoil as the narrative illustrates the fragility of life and the rapid changes that can occur to alter one’s path in unexpected ways. Throughout these chapters, Harrison’s rehabilitation with Major Bauer is depicted with a raw and honest lens, showing the grueling physical and emotional work involved. The growing rapport between Harrison and Major Bauer is a prime example of The Transformative Power of Mentorship, for Major Bauer’s guidance acts as both a source of motivation and a reality check. In addition to bolstering the boy with personal stories of his own hardships, he also finds new ways to motivate Harrison to fight for his own recovery. As Major Bauer tells Jennifer, “Hope is the fuel of recovery. We got to keep his hopes up, Jennifer. Hunger and hope, that’s what drives a man” (110). These words are designed to resonate as a beacon of encouragement and guidance—both for Harrison, and for any of Green’s readers who are experiencing similar challenges in life. As Harrison responds to Major Bauer’s encouragement, their bond soon transcends physical training and extends into emotional and psychological realms, all of which demonstrate the profound effects of nurturing mentorship.

As Harrison progresses in his physical therapy, he begins to embrace the challenges ahead. However, the arduous journey is marked by moments of pain and frustration that paint a vivid picture of Harrison’s internal battle with his circumstances and his gradual path towards acceptance and adaptation. As Harrison struggles to come to terms with his own fragility and mortality, Green balances the novel’s inspirational moments with “low points” that create a realistic portrayal of the deep emotional battles that often plague those who must face and overcome serious health issues. Perhaps the most crucial example of this dynamic occurs when Harrison considers giving up entirely after his second chemotherapy treatment. While this sentiment reflects a common thought for patients in his position, the response of his hospital roommate, Marty, serves as a swift rebuttal of his defeatism and provides a powerful example of Resilience in the Face of Adversity. Green designs the character of Marty to embody the traits of resilience and optimism despite health issues, and Marty brings a fresh perspective to Harrison’s understanding of adversity by directly confronting Harrison’s self-pity. As Marty flatly states, “You. Can quit. You. Can cry. You. Can feel. Sorry for. Yourself. Or you ... can live” (124), and this pivotal moment acts as a catalyst for Harrison, urging him to choose resilience and life instead of succumbing to despair.

In addition to depicting moments of doubt, Green devotes many passages to depicting Harrison’s own resilience in the face of new challenges and pain. For example, even in the earlier moments of his worsening health issues, he does his best to display an attitude of strength and resilience. As the narrative states, “Harrison kept the worry off his face... He iced the knee again Friday night and felt better by Saturday morning” (94). This scene reveals his stoic façade, which is a residual coping mechanism honed from his past adversities on the Constables’ farm. However, the moment also hints at the hidden emotional toll that such resilience exacts, especially on young athletes. Thus, as Harrison wrestles with his evolving identity and his serious health issues, Green accurately captures the interplay between his desire to maintain a strong front and his periodic admissions of his deeper internal conflicts and fears. This dynamic is aptly conveyed during his conversation with Becky, when the two experiment with the Face Morph app to find out what Harrison will look like after his chemotherapy. Harrison’s anxiety about the prospect of his altered appearance is conveyed in his appeal for Becky’s opinion when he says, “That’s what I’ll look like. Scary, right?” (115). His seemingly offhand question hints at his deeper fear of being perceived differently due to his health challenges. Likewise, his overall journey reflects the universal struggle for self-acceptance amidst life-altering changes.

In addition to fully describing the emotional components of Harrison’s struggle, Green also makes it a point to create realistic and visceral descriptions of the physical pain that Harrison must endure. Even in the midst of his discomfort, however, he demonstrates his sensitivity and strength when he does his best to hide the full extent of his physical complaints from his loved ones. This pattern is matter-of-factly displayed with Green’s detailed yet straightforward imagery in Chapter 51, which employs various literary devices to deepen the emotional resonance of Harrison’s story. As the narrative states:

The cold made the joint ache even more, until after about fifteen minutes, when everything went numb. He got lost in his book, and when his mom came in to kiss him good night, he made a tent of the blanket with his other knee so she wouldn’t notice the lump from the ice bag. When everything was quiet, he slipped into the bathroom and dumped the melted ice into the toilet before flushing it down and stuffing the wet bag into the bottom of the garbage (94).

Just as the descriptions in this scene create a sensory experience that accurately portrays Harrison’s pain and determination, his surreptitious concealment of the ice pack also reveals his desire to keep his family from worrying about him any more than they already do.

The moment of Harrison’s return from the hospital also marks a crucial turning point in his ongoing journey of Redefining Identity Amidst Change, for just as he must make the active choice to abandon self-pity and find reasons to maintain his resolve, he also comes to realize that he does not have to undergo these struggles alone. When Major Bauer and Coach Kelly show him their own shaved heads as a sign of their support and solidarity, Harrison realizes that his fears about his appearance and his dread of being judged solely by his health issues are unfounded, for he has the benefit of a multitude of people who are committed to helping him through this difficult time in his life. Likewise, when Harrison makes the choice to reconnect with Justin and start planning social activities with his friend, this shift signifies his readiness to engage with the world again and take an important step towards regaining a sense of normalcy. While Jennifer’s initial resistance to his plans showcases her ongoing concern, her acquiescence to the boys’ planned movie outing also implies her own realization that it is vital for Harrison to immerse himself in as many life-affirming activities as possible. Ultimately, Green’s narrative in these chapters create a multifaceted view of Harrison’s struggles, portraying an accurate view of the complexities of human emotion and resilience. By detailing Harrison’s varied experiences and the ongoing support that he receives, the novel offers an exploration of the human spirit’s capacity to endure, adapt, and ultimately find new paths in the face of life-altering events.