In the short story "Life after High School" by Joyce Carol Oates, Zachary, one of the main characters, struggles with his love for Barbara Burhman. This struggle ultimately leads to his death. Throughout the story the three characters, Barbara, Zachary, and Tobias mask themselves by hiding behind lies. The author uses this to establish the theme that wearing masks is destructive.
             Zachary, better known as Zach, hides behind a mask throughout the entire story. From the beginning of the story the author continuously lets the reader know how Zach feels about Barbara. Zach's interest in Barbara seemed a bit strange. The two had been class mates since the first grade, but Zach had not discovered her until the spring of their senior year. He also had never to anyone's recollection asked a girl out before, but there was something about Barbara that captured Zach's interest. At one point in the story, he even says to Barbara, "If you go to Cornell... maybe I'll to there too?" He was around so much to the point where he was a border line stalker.
             Zach later shows the reader just how much he loves Barbara by asking her to marry him. He even spent over half of his college fund on the engagement ring. When Barbara rejects his proposal, Zach then asks, "Will you just try it on?-see of it fits?" After she tells him no, he continues to beg her to at least wear it, even if she wears it on her right hand. In the words of Zach, "It would mean so much... life or death."
             A week after this incident, Zach appeared at Barbara's bedroom window calling her name in the darkness. This occurred after twelve weeks of Zach pursuing Barbara. When she went downstairs to see what he wanted he said he had to talk with her. When she says no more than once, he then grabs her and tries to force her to go with him. She cries, "No! no! go away! no!" He then turns and runs away. That was t...