Johnny’s Branding Symbol Analysis

The Xs that Troy Whitworth and other locals brand into Johnny’s face represent Johnny’s status as an outcast in the broader Flintock community. Troy and two other men brand Johnny toward the end of the play after they catch Johnny dancing with Troy’s stepdaughter Phaedra and accuses Johnny of inappropriate behavior, though it’s implied that the dancing was innocent. What’s more, Johnny credibly accuses Troy of sexually abusing Phaedra. Now, however, wherever Johnny goes, others will see his brands and know that he is an outcast. Traditionally, human branding was used as punishment for crimes across Europe. Different crimes would call for different brands, many of which were letters. However, there is no recording of criminals ever being branded with the letter X. As such, its meaning in the play remains ambiguous, though it could represent the unknown—as it often does in algebra—or something like divinity, as in the case of Christ. Regardless, it functions as a literal X on Johnny’s back that marks as a pariah. Although it reinforces his individuality, it also marks that individuality as something that society should shun and reject. And that fact that Johnny receives his branding as punishment under false pretenses—his dancing with Phaedra was not untoward—the Xs also represent the injustice of his social ostracization. Though Johnny’s behavior can be selfish and destructive, society doesn’t consider him an outcast due to any morally reprehensible behavior: they consider him an outcast either because they misunderstand him and so see him as a threat.