Sleeping Freshmen Never Lie

In the concluding section, Lubar explores the motifs of bullying and change to steer the narrative to its climax and resolution. Scott’s changes reach fulfillment as he learns to discern the difference between appearances and truth, and he is confident enough in his chosen identity to choose relationships based on shared interests and respect. He abandons his attempts to fit in, focusing instead on friends who make him happy. Through his newfound confidence, he becomes someone others can rely on.

Lubar employs irony in this last section to expose the misperceptions Scott has perpetuated throughout the narrative. For instance, when Wesley says he borrows cars or Jet Skis, Scott assumes that “borrows” is a euphemism for theft. However, Wesley truly is borrowing the vehicles from his father’s rental company. Although Scott knows that Wesley is still a sometime thief, he decides that Wesley has his own code of honor and continues to count him as a friend, illustrating that Scott has begun to look beyond appearances to Wesley’s true nature.

Another example of irony is Scott’s popularity. Throughout the narrative, Scott tries to fit in to be popular. However, he becomes popular when he stops trying to fit in and embraces his identity as a writer. The basketball players and stage crew also accept Scott because he is hardworking and likable, not because he is cool or popular. Scott learns to be true to himself through the examples of Wesley and Lee, who don’t care what others think of them and are confident in their individual identities. These new friendships help him overcome his fear of Vernon and recognize that Vernon, unlike Wesley, only pretends to be tough; he’s a coward who allows fear to rule his life. Ironically, when Scott started high school, fear ruled his life, but because he accepted himself and his limitations, he grew beyond his insecurities.

His infatuation with Julia drives Scott to try new activities at school, but they bring him no closer to Julia. Instead, his new talents and interests allow him to grow into his identity as an individual. His new confidence in himself allows him to see Lee as another unique individual with whom he shares common interests; thus, his infatuation with Julia ironically brings about his romantic relationship with Lee. Lubar alludes to “The Gift of the Magi” by O. Henry, an ironic short story in which two lovers give up their most prized possession to give a gift to each other; on the night of the dance, Scott dyes his hair red for Lee at the same time she dyes her hair to its original color and puts on a dress for him. By this point, both Scott and Lee are comfortable enough in their own identities to change temporarily to make the other feel more comfortable. Scott ironically doesn’t realize this about himself when he relishes his moments with Lee at the dance, stating,

So there I was [...] dancing with a great girl. A girl who wasn’t afraid to be herself. And who wasn’t afraid to step away from the safety of her chosen identity. I doubt there were many other kids [...] who had the courage to do what Lee had done (269).

The irony is that Scott himself had the courage to do what Lee had done; he just doesn’t realize it. He also doesn’t realize his accomplishments until Julia points them out; while he spent most of the year thinking Julia had it made, he was the one who accomplished more.

Even Scott’s most haunting failure—that of not liking Mouth and feeling guilt about Mouth’s suicide attempt—is a misperception on his part. Lee points out that Scott is lying to himself when he says he was nice to Mouth even though he didn’t like him; she believes that he liked Mouth all along. This epiphany informs Scott’s decision to continue to write to Mouth and focus on what Mouth has to say in the letters he writes back, leading to an epistolary relationship that benefits both.

The culmination of all the changes Scott undergoes enables him to take charge and help others. He talks Bobby into taking a chance on the audition in Nashville, encouraging him to take Mom’s car and loaning him gas money to get there. He also encourages Julia at the dance, telling her she is gorgeous, smart, and wonderful. Despite Lee’s repeated rejections, he persists and convinces her to go to the dance with him. Most importantly, he rescues his mother and father, getting them safely to the hospital with the help of his friends. The positive effects of the changes to Scott’s family and friend relationships convince Scott that, overall, change is beneficial.