Poquette has a bachelor's degree in English and specializes in writing about literature. In the following essay, Poquette discusses Odets's use of violence and speed to set the stage for Joe's fateful end in Golden Boy.

In Odets's Golden Boy, Joe Bonaparte is a musician who decides to abandon his dream of music for fame and fortune in boxing. Even though Joe transforms himself into a killer, literally beating a man to death in the boxing ring, the sensitive, musical side of Joe cannot live with this fact. In the end, Joe's newfound lifestyle of speed and violence leads to his death as he tries to escape his life in the boxing business in a fast car and crashes as a result.

Odets's play is built to reflect and inspire this violent and speedy end to Joe's life. In fact, speed and violence act as twin turbines...