In an interview Guest said, “ l wrote it because I wanted to explore the anatomy of oppression how it works and why it happens to people” Genre: Psychological novel Prevalent characteristics about the genre: (also called psychological realism) a novel that focuses on the complex mental and emotional lives of its characters and explores the various levels of mental activity Setting: asses The book is set in Lake Forest, Illinois where Conrad and his family live.
The book takes the reader through the days of their “ ordinary lives” at work, school, and at home.
Point of View: Narrative Voice The point of view switches back and forth between that of Conrad and Calvin from chapter to chapter; pining the reader two perspectives of the same story, and showing how the two characters cope with the same problem differently. Authors style/tone: Simplistic, depressing, deep, worldly Examples: “ Well, who can help? Severe Depressive Episodes: High Risk of Suicide was the initial diagnosis on the commitment papers he signed last January. A seven word diagnosis.
Is there a sevenfold cure? Is he cured? ” (peg 33) “ To mention it is to make too much of it, and there will be flak ‘ Why? Did Something happen? Is anything the matter? ‘ and he isn’t ready for it. Not yet. Themes: 1. Lack of communication can dead to misinterpretation 2. Healing, even after the most traumatizing experiences, is possible. 3.
Illusion can often block reality Characters: 1. Conrad Garrett 2. Calvin Garrett 3. Beth Garrett 4. Jordan “ Buck” Garrett 5. Dry.
Berger 6. Kevin Stimulant 7.
Jeannine Pratt 8. Karen Aldrich 1 . Beth seldom knows how to communicate with her son. In response, Conrad thinks that she hates him, thinks of him as baggage.
We do not learn until the end of the novel that Beth does appreciate Conrad when he finds the box full of objects from his childhood. To Conrad, this is a symbol of love, a feeling which he Hough Beth did not feel for him until this moment. 2. This story shows us that bouncing back from even the toughest of situations is possible.
Conrad finds his way at the end of the book and finally gets everything off of his chest at the end of the book. He accepts that his brother’s death is not his fault, and can finally start to move on.
3. The Garret illusion of a perfect family, shields them from their issues. I tears Beth apart that they are not a perfect family, and that they are dealing with things that “ normal” families do not have to deal with. It is not until the end of the novel that Calvin finally allies their family is perfect the way it is, perfectly imperfect.
Description: 1. Irritation; was involved in a boating accident with his brother, Buck; tried to commit suicide but failed, forcing him to spend time in hospital 2. Father of Conrad; blames himself for most negative things that occur in his family; works as a tax attorney; grew up in an orphanage; spends most of his time worrying about his son. 3. Wife of Calvin and mother of Conrad; spends most of her time playing golf/traveling; troubled by the horrible events she has experienced with her sons and wants to move 4. 5.
6. 7. 8. Symbols/Motifs: 1 . Trivet for perfection 2.
Importance of fitting in 3. Legislations on from them as quickly as possible; has major conflict with Calvin; very closed off/private; lacks communication skills was the oldest child of Calvin and Beth; he died in a boating accident, an event for which Conrad has never forgiven himself A psychiatrist that Conrad begins meeting once a week in an effort to gain more “ control” member of the swimming team; is very cruel to Conrad: one day after a swim meet, he and Conrad get into a fist fight which Conrad wins new student at Lake Forest; she is in the school choir with Conrad; she and Conrad come close friends and begin to date Concord’s friend from the hospital; they meet in a diner early in the novel to catch up; at the end of the novel, Conrad learns that she has committed suicide, and the news sends him into shock 1.
Beth is a perfectionist, and strives for perfection in everything she does; especially if it involves her family life. She is very closed off and is upset about the slightest mention about any of her problems (imperfections) at home specifically in regards to her son. 2. Conrad feels the need to fit in with everyone the kids at school, his family as do most teenagers.
However, the fitting in may be ore important to him than others because of what he has been through. Throughout the novel he sees himself as an outcast and feels as if no one wants/needs him. 3. Relationships are a major issue in the book. First off, Beth and Calvin have a very poor relationship from lack of communication.
They both have different views about family and they never really click. Calvin tries to go to Dry. Berger for advice and in the end their marriage crumbles and Beth leaves the family. Calvin and Conrad don’t have a very strong relationship in the beginning because Calvin wants to sit around waiting for Conrad to heal ND feels he’s never good enough for Conrad, and Conrad just wants to go back to his regular life he had before without his dad having to worry about him tenderfoot seven. Important Quotes: 1.
“ Responsibility. That is fatherhood. You cannot afford to miss any signs, because that is how it happens: somebody holding too much inside, somebody else missing signs. ” (peg. 9) 2. “ Wrong.
There is a need.
