When a person undergoes an epiphany, or experiences a "spiritual flash", it changes his perspectives about life. A person's attitudes and opinions are directly and indirectly related to their emotions. In Boyle's story "Greasy Lake", we will witness quick and abrupt changes in the lives of the main characters caused by a senseless and immature act. Innocence and freedoms are almost lost during the characters needs to be non-conformists.
             At the beginning of the story, the narrator makes an effort to depict himself and his two friends (Digby and Jeff) as hard-hitting characters. He says, "We wore torn up leather jackets, slouched around with toothpicks in our mouths, sniffed glue and ether and what somebody claimed was cocaine. When we wheeled our parents whining station wagons out on to the street we left a patch of rubber half a block long" (page 129). In addition, the narrator went on to say Digby wore a gold star in his ear and Jeff was thinking about quitting school in order to sell drugs. The narrator is trying to flaunt a "bad boy" image for himself and his two friends. Although the narrator is trying to describe their lifestyles as wreck less and carefree, they are simply acting like ordinary 19 year old rebellious teenagers who depends on mom and dad for transportation, money, and shelter. Their lack of respect for themselves and others gives a vivid picture of the boundaries and limitations these young men have created without even being aware. These examples prove the characters have not developed a "positive intelligence". Their soul purpose in life, at this present moment, is for their peers to observe their unconstructive performances.
             The conflict, which in the end leads to the characters' "new beginning", took place when the narrator, Digby and Jeff arrives at Greasy Lake. The narrator said the lake smelled fetid and offensive and the waters...