Craig has a simple mind and a simple goal in this complex world. Being a New Yorker he knows that in order to be successful you need to work for it. So he studied day and night to pass this big exam the gets him accepted into the "right" high school; Executive Pre-Professional. And once he graduates he can go to the "right" college, have a "right" job. But something he doesn't realize is the tremendous pressure that comes with this high school. He falls behind on his school work and soon enough everything becomes unbearable. I think we all come to a certain point in our lives where the problems pile up and theres too much going on for us to think straight. Well, this is exactly how Craig felt.
The pressure to be successful and mature is very difficult to sustain. I know this because teachers and parents expect a lot from teenagers (responsibility, honestly, integrity). But they don't realize we're still trying to grow up, trying to figure ourselves out. Yes, we may do some stupid, idiotic things along the way but this is how we know the right path for ourselves. Craig is also on that journey to finding his purpose in life, but his struggle gets even harder because he suffers from depression, which leads him to become suicidal. Many of us, too often, feel like the pressure is too much to take. Our problems and work pile up, and soon everything is just out of control. But we, just like Craig need to realize that life happens. And it will go on with or without you. When things get out of control all we can do is try our best to maintain stability.
