Conflict is prevalent in Game by Barry Lyga. The plot relies on multiple separate conflicts that were established in the first book finally being united in a concoction of trouble. The first book of the series, I Hunt Killers, lays out the scene and allows the readers to get to know the characters and serves as a baseline for the conflict that is now about to spike. Jasper Dent faces trouble from numerous angles, including from another character, from himself, and from society.
Jasper, the protagonist of Game by Barry Lyga, faces a “character versus character” conflict with his sociopathic murderer of a father, Billy Dent. This conflict emerges very early in Jasper’s life, probably beginning in the early years of adolescence. A discrepancy arises because of his father’s truculent behaviors and as a result, Jasper begins to resent him. The relationship between the two becomes more and more strained over the years. However, after being locked up in prison for four years, Billy Dent finds a way to forgive his son’s bitterness. Moreover, Billy Dent longs for his son, although not in a “normal” father- son
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His situation created a “character versus society” conflict. This is significant to the plot of the book because society’s expectations often drive people’s actions. In this case, the disapproval of society further enhances Jasper’s inner conflict and makes Jasper question a lot of his choices. For instance, should Jazz travel to New York City, a place that has multiple murders a year? If so, people are bound to at least suspect him of a couple of murders, if not wholeheartedly believe it was him: “He knew that if you added Jasper Dent and New York, you could only come up with one solution: the Hat-Dog Killer” (Lyga 112). This shows that Jasper is aware of society’s watchful eye ☺. It also reveals that Jasper is a little intimidated and uneasy about his