Flashbacks

Just Mercy

by Bryan Stevenson

Just Mercy: Flashbacks 1 key example

Chapter 15: Broken
Explanation and Analysis—I Love You Too:

In Chapter 15, Stevenson includes a flashback to a formative moment in his childhood. He remembers how his mother berated him for mocking a boy with a speech impediment, and how she forced him to apologize and tell the boy, "I love you":

It made me feel less weird to smile like it was a joke. But then the boy hugged me tighter and whispered in my ear. He spoke flawlessly, without a stutter and without hesitation.

“I love you, too.” There was such tenderness and earnestness in his voice, and just like that, I thought I would start crying.