Who is Rusty Young from Marching Powder: A True Story of Friendship, Cocaine, and South America’s Strangest Jail and what is their importance? | English & Literature Questions & Answers

Rusty Young is the young Australian backpacker who meets Thomas on a prison tour and agrees to help him write this book. A university graduate in law, Young speaks Spanish, and is described by Thomas as rather cocky and cavalier. In the first part of the book, told from Rusty's viewpoint, he finds Thomas fascinating and charismatic. In the bulk of the book, told from Thomas's viewpoint, Rusty comes across as self-involved and occasionally judgmental. A good part of Thomas's affection for Rusty seems to be attributable to Thomas's need for emotional support. Indeed, it is easy to imagine the two not continuing their friendship after Thomas's release from prison, although their later relationship is not discussed in the book. Rusty's gumption in deciding to stay in the prison for months while he records Thomas's story is admirable. He also bribes prison officials and judges, pretends in court to be Thomas's lawyer, and snorts cocaine with Thomas in jail. All of this contributes to the portrayal of him in the book as a rather swashbuckling young man, just as Thomas is depicted as daring smuggler. Another side of Rusty is shown by his censorship of Thomas for using too much cocaine, and his anger with Thomas for being tardy in revealing that he is up on new drug charges. The impression given is that he regards himself as having an upper hand in the friendship, rather like an elder or a mentor. It is hard to forget that Rusty put this book together, using Thomas's recorded words. Not surprisingly, his portrayal of himself and his friend both seem a bit self-serving.

English & Literature

Who is Rusty Young from Marching Powder: A True Story of Friendship, Cocaine, and South America's Strangest Jail and what is their importance?

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