Long Way Down

Fiction | Novel/Book in Verse | YA | Published in 2017

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Before You Read

Summary

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Part 6

Part 7

Character Analysis

Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Quiz

Tools

Discussion Questions

Part 7Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 7: “2”

Part 7, Pages 281-306 Summary

The elevator stops at the second floor. Will repeatedly hits the button for L, trying to get the doors to close. At the last minute, fingers grip the door, and it pops open. Shawn gets in. Everyone hugs him, greets him—they all look so happy to see him. But Shawn won’t talk to Will. Will asks him what to do, who killed him, if he is doing the right thing. Shawn says nothing. Suddenly, Shawn starts crying. Will is shocked: “I thought you said / no crying / Shawn” (298). But Shawn lets himself cry, in front of everyone. Will realizes that despite Shawn’s tears, he still loves his brother. The elevator doors click open at the lobby, and everyone gets out. Shawn looks back and finally speaks: “You coming?” (306).

Part 7 Analysis

Shawn finally appears in the last chapter. Though he doesn’t say anything to Will, he sets the most profound example for his brother. After many years of being taught not to cry or express his grief in a way that doesn’t harm others, Shawn openly weeps in front of his brother. It isn’t clear why Shawn is crying—it could be for his own life, the lives of all the people he lost, the fate he was dealt, or Will’s current predicament.