Empowerment: By the end of the novel, Rat states, “Jun – no longer Rat. My name is Jun-Jun” (p.217). What can be inferred about Rat’s new sense of self? How have Raphael and Gardo enabled this transformation?

At the end of the novel ‘Trash’ Rat states “Jun – no longer Rat. My name is Jun-Jun” (p.217). I believe that he states this because he has gained a new form of confidence in himself and believes that he is worth something in this world, whereas before he was treated with disrespect; like he was rubbish. Gardo and Raphael contributed in this transformation by sticking with him, befriending him. Thus making him believe that he can survive in this world with those that care for him and those that HE cares for. After all he’s been through with these two trying to bring justice to the crime, he has finally been able to accept that he deserves respect, from himself AND from others.