One of the elements explored in godless is what it means to have a BFF who is a social ball-and-chain. Jason and Shin have been close enough to finish each other's comic book drawings for years, but Shin is a couple of degrees beyond quirky. Jason totally gets him, but isn't interested in explaining him or bridging the social gap between Shin and mainstream teens that only widens as they age.
Friendship element number two is what happens to a dynamic when new social players are introduced, particularly when the long-term friend and new friend pull our protagonist in opposite directions. (We're looking at you, Shin and Henry.)
Questions About Friendship
- Why does Jason invite Henry to participate in the CTG after the guy punched him for no reason? Why does he make him the High Priest and reveal things about Shin that are a violation of trust?
- Have you ever had a friend that you cared a lot about but were embarrassed of?
- Can we maintain friendships made as children into adulthood? What happens when people mature at different rates and develop distinct interests?
- Why does Jason smack Dan in the face with a ping-pong ball just to win? What does it say about a guy who consciously creates a psychological advantage over a "friend"?
Chew on This
Jason is a good friend to Shin because he is really aware of Shin's idiosyncrasies and feelings, and keeps going to his house to make things right; plus he risks his own life to rescue Shin from the water tower in the storm.
Jason is a lousy friend to Shin for including Henry in the CTG, revealing things about Shin that he wouldn't want revealed, and abandoning him on the tower climb at the midnight mass.