The Soloist Chapters 13-22 !

Nathaniel Anthony Ayers.
Who is Nathaniel Anthony Ayers?

Is he the mad schizophrenic everyone makes him out to be? Or is he the music-loving, honest, caring person Steve Lopez has come to see? I believe he is the second option, with just a touch of the first option in him. Although Nathaniel is clinically diagnosed with schizophrenia, I feel that he does not let that ruin what he truly feels and loves.

Nathaniel started out with a happy childhood; a mother who was her own person, and a father who was there. Then things got confusing, when his father left him and created a new family, and his mother recovered from that by marrying again. All Nathaniel wanted in his life was a father to impress, and although there were different substitutes throughout his life, they weren't exactly what, or who, Nathaniel needed. Now the schizophrenia cannot be blamed by Nathaniel's father, but I feel that that could have played a part in Nathaniel's condition. The pressure of Julliard, the feeling of abandonment from his father, and the mental illness that was possibly there from the beginning of his life, all caused Nathaniel to get to the point of homelessness in his life.

To some, that type of let down would be a terrible situation. I feel that it helped Nathaniel to become a more happy, and peaceful person. Yes, I agree Nathaniel still needs treatment, and his illness shouldn't go unfixed, but if living on the streets and doing what he loves most- playing music- is what he likes, then that is what he should be allowed to do. If Lopez, or any other professional psychiatrist, would force him to go along with their rules, Nathaniel could possibly have a break down and hurt someone, or possibly hurt himself. Nathaniel is his own person, and he knows what he wants, and he follows his own rules to get it. It may not be the smartest, or the most sensible way, but as long as Nathaniel is happy, why should anyone complain?

• Check my grammar.
• Tell me if you agree with my thoughts, or not.