In Rumble Fish the main character Rusty is growing up in a rough neighborhood in the city. His father is a drunk, and his brother is always on the road with his motorcycle. His mother doesn't live with them. The family lives in poverty, with the only income being from the welfare check that Rusty's father gets, but Rusty must remember to ask his dad for money before he drinks it away.
Rusty does go to school, although he doesn't really apply himself. Despite what you might think, he does go to school fairly regularly, but does cut out fairly often, or come in extremely late. Rusty is frequently getting into fights, and smokes, as well as drinks.
Rusty has a friend Steve, who is the opposite of him. Steve goes into all of the advanced classes, and has parents that care about him. He does well in school, doesn't fight, smoke, or drink. Steve is always trying to keep Rusty out of trouble, but he is normally unsuccessful.
Rusty is very self centered. He knows that he can (and he does) fight and win against anybody. But, unlike most stories, Rusty never really changes his ways, until the very end of the story. While Rusty's brother is in town, he robs a pet store, and is shot by the police. This changes Rusty's thinking, as he tagged along with his brother. For most of the story, he doesn't listen to anybody, and maintains himself as tough. But, after seeing his brother killed, he starts to think about what other people are saying, and where his life is going. Thats how Rusty came of age.
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