Outline: The Dispute of Will Hollowman’s Cognitive Dissonance. The use of the phrase “cognitive dissonance” branches from the topic of mental discomfort when making an ethically difficult decision. The “dissonance”, or the “conflict” of one’s personal beliefs greatly impacts the way humans interact not only with each other, but with ourselves too. From the start of the book, Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds, it is apparent that the main character, Will Hollowman, is psychologically troubled not only by the murder of his brother, Shawn Hollowman, but the murder of his father, Mickey Hollowman. The sudden death of Shawn puts Will in a state of shock, influencing him to plot the death of Shawn’s former best friend, Riggs. Will decided that he would kill Riggs, even though he wasn’t given any proof of that being the …show more content…
These rules, passed down through generations, dictate that murder must be avenged by murder, an eye for an eye, with no consideration for the legal system or moral implications. As Will sets out on his quest for revenge, he is faced with the internal struggle between his ingrained belief in street justice and his inherent understanding of right and wrong. This conflict is a textbook example of cognitive dissonance, where his actions are at odds with his moral compass. The psychological turmoil is palpable as Will prepares to take the life of Riggs, whom he holds responsible for his brother's death, despite the lack of concrete evidence. This decision, driven by grief and the pressure of community expectations, leads Will into a labyrinth of self-doubt and soul-searching. The mental discomfort Will experiences is illustrative of the broader human condition, where ethical dilemmas force us to reconcile our actions with our beliefs, often leading to profound inner conflict and emotional upheaval. In Will Hollowman's life, a key moment of cognitive dissonance occurs during the pivotal elevator