Running Loose

Morality and ethics are guiding principles for Louie and prominent motifs throughout the narrative. The words “morality” and “ethics” are closely related but aren’t interchangeable: Morality encompasses individual beliefs and values and the extent to which they shape behavior; ethics is about critically examining and applying those principles in various contexts. Louie values fairness, justice, and authenticity, and these morals shape his behavior throughout the novel. For example, his sense of fairness compels him to lash out at the referee after Washington is targeted, to vent his frustration at Becky’s service, and to destroy the plaque Jasper dedicates to her memory. Louie’s sense of ethics, though, is less developed because even though his strong reactions are based on a solid moral code, he lacks the maturity to apply his morals strictly ethically. For example, his urge to destroy the plaque comes from his moral commitment to authenticity. He believes Jasper has cheated Becky by focusing on her accomplishments and not on her as a person. Destroying the plaque, though, while satisfying, shows that his decision-making in applying those morals is immature. Louie would have shown greater ethical growth by the novel’s end if he had reconsidered destroying the plaque in favor of a more constructive way to commemorate Becky as a whole person.

Still, not all of Louie’s actions demonstrate a wholly immature ethical framework. His stance against the targeting of Washington demonstrates more thoughtful ethics because he sacrifices personal gains by leaving the team: “I wouldn’t play another down of Trout football if you were holding my mother hostage! That was a setup, and you know it!” (47). Louie is troubled by the indifference around him, including that of his friend Carter: “I wanted the whole world to be outraged, but especially Carter” (69), he reflects. Louie’s strong moral sense and developing ethical framework contrast with Carter’s; he doesn’t sufficiently value fair play and justice enough to share Louie’s outrage at the coach’s plan to target Washington for injury. Carter shares neither the same morals nor the ethical framework for applying those morals.

Louie strongly believes in The Role of Sports in Shaping Identity and advocates for integrity and fair play because they are part of his moral code. He faces unjust consequences for his actions when he is suspended from school and banned from participating in school sports. Jasper and Lednecky demonstrate a lack of morals and ethics when they disregard the principles of fair play and then unjustly punish Louie.

While characters such as Jasper, Lednecky, and Boomer represent immoral and unethical behavior, Louie isn’t alone in championing justice. Dakota and Norm also believe in the importance of morals, supporting Louie and praising him for standing for what he believes is right. In Chapter 9, Norm defends his son against Jasper, arguing against the necessity of a public apology. Coach Madison, who had stayed silent during the Washington incident, advocates for ethics and morality as he helps Louie return to sports and participate in track. He regrets not taking a stand sooner: “I think everyone probably gets only a few chances in his life to make a stand for something he cares about, and I’ve blown one chance already” (126). Recognizing the injustice perpetrated by Jasper and Lednecky, Coach Madison vows to make things right.