Athletic Shorts: Six Short Stories

This short story (in a book of short stories) chronicles the hardships of a massively-physiqued high school boy with two sets of homosexual parents. Angus, though large, is athletic and intelligent, and uses wit to internally overcome the demeaning slurs he has been faced with his entire life. We meet Angus as he is preparing to accept his role as Winter Ball King, alongside Queen Melissa Lefevre, whom he has adored a lifetime. During preparations for the upcoming dance he must attempt with her, the narrative brings forth flashbacks that offer an understanding of Angus’ character and attributes. By the end of the story, Angus overcomes not only the dance, but also personal barriers that previously stunted his development of self show more appreciation. He learns no one is perfect, and that his positive qualities are more than enough to be an outstanding individual.

Angus uses an extensive number of metaphors, similes, hyperboles, and allusions. Wit and irony are easily found in his humorous personal narrative. Students should be encouraged to pick out their favorite uses of figurative language. They could also act out, illustrate, or discuss as a class the best forms of figurative language used, giving opinion on which ones they liked best. Ask them why Angus’ character’s wit makes us like him more as a protagonist. Also, have them circle all allusions and references to culture they can find (even if they don’t particularly understand or know them). How does using these allusions help relate to their age group? Discussion and activities should also focus on the character development of Angus. How did he change over the story? Write personal journals on change, and use a venn-diagram to determine what is different about Angus from the beginning of the narrative to the end.

In the beginning of Angus’ narrative, I was shocked by the entrance of parental homosexuality into Young Adult literature; however, the protagonist soon stole my heart as I discovered how he coped with such and uncontrollable aspect of his life. Admiration abounded for Angus as I realized how well he grasped his own “flaws” in life, though I ached with the knowledge that his self awareness was not yet complete enough to ultimately accept his self identity. Angus was a character I would truly want to be friends with; his witty language, hyperboles, and downright side-splitting usages of references and metaphors had me rolling the entire time. Angus was telling this story straight to my face. Though I initially was turned off by his parents’ choices, the way he handled his situations drove straight to my heart an urgency to thrust this story into the hands of every 15 year old in America. Well done, “Angus.” You conquered high school. show less

This book contains the story "A Brief Moment in the Life of Angus Bethune". Angus is an outcast. He always has been. People have learned that picking on him involves a risk--he admits to the reader that he is short-tempered, and has no scruples about punching the lights of anyone who dares to make fun of him. Despite his talent in sports (football) and apparent popularity (he has been elected Senior Winter Ball King), Angus still sees himself as a fat kid named after a type of cow, who has two sets of gay parents (his mother and father divorced and remarried same-sex partners).

His insecurity is doubled by the fact that since he is the Senior Winter Ball King, he must dance a dance with the Senior Winter Ball Queen, Melissa Lefevre. show more Melissa is the most beautiful girl in school, the girl of Angus's dreams ("and only my dreams" he says). After being taunted by Melissa's date, Rick (a truly loathsome fellow), Angus dances with Melissa, and during their conversation she reveals to him that she has bulimia, an eating disorder. Angus realizes that he is not the only one who suffers from insecurity about himself, and realizes that even people whom the world see as beautiful are not satisfied with themselves. He ends up leaving the dance with Melissa, and backs down a jealous Rick before making his exit. He comes out of the experience with a better view of himself and realizes that there's no point in selling himself short just because he doesn't like the way he looks--because it's something that he can't change. It's who he is, and he can be proud of it.

I love this story, mostly because the good guy actually gets the girl and the douchebag gets left out in the cold. For once. show less

In Chris Crutcher's short story, "A Brief Moment in the Life of Angus Bethune," tells the story of Angus and the struggles he faces at home and school. Angus is an over-weight senior in high school, who feels he was cursed at birth when he was given the name "Angus." In addition to struggling to be over-weight, Angus has two sets of homosexual parents. At school he is constantly ridiculed for his stature and home life. However, Angus shares that he is also a smart student and strong athlete. Angus is finally accustomed to the life he is leading, when he gets elected Winter Ball King. He does not know how he got elected, but somehow the embarrassment will be worth it because he will get to share a dance with his long time crush, Melissa show more Lefevre. Only two obstacles stand in his way to making his dream of being with Melissa for a brief moment stand in his way: his temper and inability to dance.

I think this is an attention grabbing text that presents many important themes for adolescent readers. A major theme is present at the end of the book where Melissa reveals her eating disorder to Angus. This reveals that everyone has problems. Often times, students think that the "pretty people" have life easier, and Melissa's confession proves that theory is false. People of all shapes and sizes have problems. Another important part of the text is the connection the reader makes to Angus. While not every student can relate to having two sets of homosexual parents, every student can relate to feeling awkward, uncomfortable, and insecure. Insecurities are a part of growing up, and any reader can relate to the feelings and struggles Angus has.

I really enjoyed reading this short story. I feel that the characters were lovable and realistic. I loved the no-nonsense attitude Angus' grandfather had that gave him confidence to go through with the Winter Ball. I also extremely enjoyed the theme that everyone struggles with finding comfort in their own skin. I also really enjoyed Angus' character. I felt that although he had so much to overcome, he was a good person who stood up for his family and what he believed in. The characters are presented like real people with problems and insecurities. This presentation of the characters makes the story real and attractive to adolescent readers. show less

That Crutcher's derived all but one of the principal characters found in these stories from his novels won't restrict this to his full-length-fiction fans. The best story, "A Brief Moment in the Life of Angus Bethune," has, in fact, nothing to do with prequels or sequels at all, though it has been published previously. In it Angus, a wonderfully humorous, self-deprecating fat kid from an alternative family (two sets of gay parents), gets a well-deserved, longed-for moment with the girl of his dreams, who turns out to be not only beautiful, but also nice. In "The Telephone Man," which calls up a character that originally appeared in Crazy Horse Electric Game, emotionally disabled Jack, whose belt full of phone equipment constitutes his show more identity, is rescued from a vicious Chinese gang by a black classmate. The incident puts lie to the racist rhetoric Jack's father spouts, leaving Jack loving his dad but no longer believing him. Not all the stories are as strong as these two, but Crutcher knows teen issues and how kids think and talk. His themes--father-son friction, insecurity, friendship--have great YA appeal, his plots are straightforward, and he mixes poignancy and humor in just the right proportion to keep readers involved. And they will also appreciate the insights he supplies about himself in the collection's introduction and in story headnotes. Category: Older Readers. 1991, Greenwillow, $13.95. Gr. 8-12. (Stephanie Zvirin (Booklist, Oct. 15, 1991 (Vol. 88, No. 4)))

Awards and Honors: Thumbs Up! Award Winner 1992 United States show less

Athletic Shorts: Six Short Stories by Chris Crutcher
"A Brief Moment in the Life of Angus Bethune"

Crutcher's fiction short story is told in the first-person narrative by the main character-Angus Bethune. Angus's life is rather different from most of his high school peers. Both of his biological parents became homosexual after he was conceived. Angus is an enormous football player with major insecurities.

Angus is presented with a very rare opportunity - he is elected Senior Winter Ball king, and the queen just happens to be the girl of his dreams, Melissa Lefevre. Although there are several reasons that make this dream come true a real life horror story, Melissa's boyfriend, 'Golden Rick Sanford' rigs the vote, making the entire election show more a joke. Basically, Angus's already awkward life could come crashing down or maybe, just maybe might sky-rocket after this night is finished. Lucky for Angus, Melissa is a great lead dancer, and Angus is about seven times bigger than Rick. I suggest reading the story to find out if Angus really did get the girl - or not.

Although I love this story and the issues it addresses, there are SO many controversial issues that this tiny story raises. Angus opens the short story with these words, "Sometimes, when I stand bak and take a good look, I think my parents are ambassadors from hell" (Crutcher 7). Although I know parent-teenager relationships are extremely tense, Angus takes his up a notch with this initial claim. Later, the reader finds out that the cause of this huge amount of half love, half resistance/hate is that all four of his parents/step parents are homosexual. Although this is relevant issue in today's world, it is also a very controversial one to teach in schools. While I believe that this is an issue that needs to be addressed because so many teens deal with a lesbian friend or relative - and often, it is hidden out of fear or embarrassment, it must be approached gingerly. On the other side, parents from a small-town conservative background grimace at the idea of same sex relationships and the affect of them on students. In order to teach this book without being efficiently fired, it would be imperative to discuss the pros and cons of why it would be good (or bad) to teach the book. This is not the only controversial subject that is mentioned in Angus's story. Another thing that are implied is teenage drinking (19). This is another huge issue in teenagers today. This short story easily connects with young adult readers and the issues they must deal with on a regular basis. I think Crutcher writes very similarly to many classic authors who broke the mold during their time and talked about the hard stuff. The rebel daughter that would have rather been single than trapped in a relationship with someone she did not love like Elizabeth Bennet in Jane Austen's [Pride and Prejudice], the neighbor who wanted the married beauty like Gatsby in Fitzgerald's [The Great Gatsby] - all of these represent controversial issues, and although they may not seem as disputable in today's classroom, they represent the first rebel writers. I think Crutcher really steps up and deals with prominent issues that many authors shy away from.

I think that this book should be taught because of the issues (although extremely controversial) that it raises, including:
-the fact that homosexuality is something that students are faced with in today's schools.
-the problem of teenage drinking, although it is downplayed in this story, it is present in schools today.
-the peer pressure to conform, in this case, to have a beautiful girlfriend.

The reasons that I think the book should not be read are the same reasons why it should be. I think the story is 100% awesome. I think the topics are very morally controversial but also relevant, and it would be very important to evaluate the background and values of the kids in my class before I teach it. show less

This is a short story about a kid dealt a miserable hand, or so he thinks. He is overweight, unattractive, named "Angus" (like the cow), and his parents are both gay. He has four parents that love him though, and has always been told to stay true to himself. The night of the story is the night of his highschool's Winter Ball. He has been voted on court by what he can only assume is a big prank. He accepts, taking the advice of his grandfather, not wanting to draw any attention to himself. The queen is this popular girl he's been in love with forever. He's afraid to be alone with her on the dance floor. Not because he expects anything to happen, it's just that he can't dance and she's so perfect. What will he do?

I think this story would show more be great to teach because of it's honesty. He comes out and tells you all of his problems. For me, at least, it made me open up and feel like this was a real character. I think children could become turned off by the typical, all-American boy heroes if they felt no connection. Angus, however is an outcast with anger, family, self-image and weight issues. His honesty could help some children deal with their problems, or see that they aren't as big as they think. I fear that the gay parents would be a problem in teaching this. Especially in the school district where I graduated. I just don't see parents or even the students being comfortable with such a work yet. Maybe by the time I am actually teaching though.

I really did like the story. I felt for Angus and I was rooting for him by the end of it. I feel like the queen was very relatable too, not that I've ever had an eating disorder, but just the whole "having it together" projection. I love that she was comfortable around him and opened up. It would have killed me if she would have been rude to him during his special moment, even though it was what we all half expected, right? show less

The article “Angus Bethune” from the book Athletic Shorts is a quirky depiction of the struggles that come with being a teenager. Angus is the fat kid with the weird family and the weird name; however, along with these awkward traits, the reader discovers that Angus has many lovable qualities. Amidst these lovable qualities is Angus’s bravery which he makes good use of when he is named Winter Ball King and forced to share a dance with his long time crush, Melissa Lefevre. One problem – Angus can’t dance. This story will take you back to all of the awkwardness that makes high school unforgettable.

I think this text is fun, relevant, and relatable for many adolescents. Although some of the situations, such as Angus’s family show more life, are extreme, young people can learn and mature from seeing Angus’s perspective on life. People can see that everyone from the funny guy to the popular girl have struggles. This text may give a newfound self-confidence to its readers. This passage may also encourage students to break away from their self-revolved thinking and consider the struggles that others may be facing. Ideally this article has the potential to show students their similarities and form a tight-knit community of adolescents.

I adored the characters in this article and found them perfectly flawed as all teenagers are. Everyone can think back and remember those adolescent insecurities that haunted them. It is refreshing to see that quirky and weird aren’t bad things. They are normal. They are fun. This article renewed my insight on the lives of high school students. show less