I'm really captivated by the narration of Black Swan Green with its down-to-earth voice, fast-paced action, and profound insights. One thing in particular which has held my attention is the sensitive side of Jason which he must hide in order to fit in at school and not be called "gay." Even at home, he doesn't express himself the way he'd like to, as he describes to us when envying Julia for her quick wit. Part of it is his stammer, but it also has something to do with his inhibition. I can remember feeling this way in middle school-- a kind of need to say what I really thought countered by an insecurity about whether I would just come off as foolish. Jason also looks to Hugo, as he sees his discuss topics like poetry and still exude suave confidence.
As the novel progresses, we can see Jason coming into his own as he stammers less and has more social success. It's clear that working his way up in the school's hierarchy helps his self confidence, but to truly self-actualize, he has to search for something deeper than the approval of his peers. It's the voice of his "unborn twin" that he needs to listen to in order to not be so restricted by the constraints "maggot" has on him. When he goes back to Mr. Blake's for his friend, Moran, we have a little hope that he might be listening to his better instinct rather than letting his fears rule him.
I also have to wonder what role his parents' failing marriage plays in Jason's development. The constant tension and unrest at home shakes him at the roots, taking away his sense of security. He's at a point where he needs a lot of support from his family because his peers are ruthless, giving him little validation. He doesn't get much comfort from his family, as we can see from his father's terseness with his stammer, and his mother's preoccupation with the drama between her and his father. Jason even says that he partly blames himself for their marital issues, thinking that if he were friendlier, they would get along better. With so much guilt and insecurity in his own home, he shows up at school without the backing that he needs to be confident.
Even with the odds stacked against him, we still see him mature. This is part of his coming-of-age as he forges his independent identity apart from his parents. The drama with his parents pushes him more deeply into school politics and forces him to make big decisions on his own about how he will shape his character.
