In Chapter 5 of "That Was Then, This is Now," we see the deepening bond between the two main characters, Bryon and Mark. The chapter begins with Bryon and Mark walking through the city at night, reflecting on their friendship and how it has evolved over the years.
As they walk, Bryon reflects on how he and Mark used to be inseparable as children, always sticking together and looking out for one another. However, as they grew older and entered their teenage years, their relationship began to change. Bryon started to become more independent, making his own decisions and finding his own way. Mark, on the other hand, became more reliant on Bryon, relying on him for support and guidance.
Despite this shift in their dynamic, Bryon still cares deeply for Mark and wants to protect him. This is evident when they encounter a group of gang members who threaten Mark. Bryon steps in to defend his friend, showing his loyalty and determination to stand by Mark's side.
As the chapter comes to a close, Bryon reflects on how he and Mark have grown and changed over the years, but their friendship remains strong. Despite the challenges they have faced and the changes they have undergone, they have always been there for each other, supporting and protecting each other through thick and thin.
In conclusion, Chapter 5 of "That Was Then, This is Now" highlights the enduring bond between Bryon and Mark and the strength of their friendship. It also shows how their relationship has evolved over time, but at its core, it remains unchanged.
That Was Then... This Is Now (1985)
Bryon starts to shake as he steps into the alley, envisioning the horrible things they might do to him. We possess the same goal. It is important to note that the Bryon we meet earlier in the novel talks about women in an insensitive and brazen manner. One night, Mark and Bryon head to Time speeds up and yet Bryon feels as though he is moving in slow motion. After winning heavily against them, they head out, but the Texans, hiding in an alleyway, hold a gun to the boys and force them into an alleyway. Mark helps Bryon play up the act as they lose their first game together. He takes Cathy home, debates whether or not to kiss her, and doesn't.
That Was Then, This is Now Chapter 5 Summary and Analysis
Charlie intervenes with his own gun to rescue the boys, but he is killed in the resulting crossfire. She has just returned home from private school, and Bryon is immediately smitten with her. They leave the bar soon after the Texans, who are waiting in a nearby dark alley with a gun and brass knuckles. Bryon says he feels the same way. Instead of taking a girl, Mark plans to just go with his friends, one of whom is Ponyboy Curtis. Bryon believes that he himself is changing, while Mark is not. Bryon goes down to the cafeteria to get food.
That Was Then, This Is Now Chapter 5 Summary & Analysis
Bryon starts to shake as he steps into the alley, envisioning the horrible things they might do to him. Bryon notes that Mark is very familiar with the house and the people in it. Fujimaru Ritsuka: Alright, how about you try to sleep! But just as Dirty Dave approaches Mark, Charlie steps into the alley with a shotgun. He is heavily affected by Charlie's death, and feels very much at fault. Bryon dislikes Ponyboy even though he does not know him well; Bryon's ex-girlfriend, Angela Shepard, dumped Bryon to make a play for Ponyboy, and was subsequently rebuffed. He only talks to Mark and Cathy about his thoughts about it. Back home, Bryon and Mark talk in the moonlight, and Mark says that Bryon is his only real family left.
Chapters 5
At the hospital, their mother tells them to visit the poor boy across the hall who doesn't get many visitors. However, when she arrives home and her family members surround the car, she tells them to beat up Mike. Mark asks Bryon to read a book to him, and they reminisce about how Bryon used to read to Mark all the time when they were little; Mark has always been too lazy and too uninterested to read himself. Bryon decides to go hustling to get some money. Bryon becomes awkward, stuttering and reminding Cathy of how she looked the last time they saw each other. Do you want to at least give it a try? Bryon asks if there are any people they can hustle, and Charlie says that there are a few guys at the pool table whom they can beat. The differences foreshadowed in the earlier chapters come to a more explicit head in this section of the story.
