currently vacationing in the deep south and was wondering if a location change would change the nature of heathers at all. we know jd has been to about a dozen schools exactly like westerberg but i wonder if the location is what made him snap
hmm... This question is very interesting because I don't really think of JD as being the one snapping. From a narrative perspective, Veronica snaps and that's why JD is there. His only purpose is to be there when she decides she can't deal with her friends anymore and gets in that big fight with Heather Chandler.
His narrative purpose is to exacerbate the darkest parts of Veronica. It's not a coincidence that as she's remarkably pulling more and more away from her friends, and wanting to talk to different people, and not enjoying the prank on Martha, and getting in a big fight with Heather Chandler, JD moves in.
He says he's been to so many schools and that they are all exactly the same as Westerburg, but he's never killed anyone at any other school. So the difference is Veronica.
But I think it's necessary that Westerburg be in a smaller, rich-ish town. It's got a lot of stuck-up rich kids and cow pastures in rural Ohio. I think we can tell a lot about it, being an affluent, yet rural and country spot in Ohio in the '80s. It must be a very small-minded, conservative place.
They shame anyone who doesn't conform into compliance and they don't feel bad about it. They are entertained by romantic tragedies, like popular kids committing suicide.
I think Sherwood and Westerburg work their best when they are very white places. I don't think Westerburg would work as well in a city, but it could still be done in a rich white part of the city. Or in a suburb.
The thing is, that I think Sherwood has to be stifling, conformist, and conservative, and feel like there is not much of an escape from it. It's the only place that could make such a small-minded community.
I think Sherwood and Westerburg are meant to be very American. A commentary on American culture in particular.
That all being said, Sherwood could totally be in the South. Like one of those white, rich places full of platinum blondes, golf courses, fake tans, and large trucks. Like a suburb of Tuscaloosa or some place glamorous in north Florida.
idk.... does this make sense??
