Section 2

As the novel develops more of the story unfolds and keeps my attention for a longer period of time. This section was rather eventful, and the characters were developed and I was able to learn more about them and why they behave the way they do. Early on Gilbert is introduced as a drunk. The town, along with his family look at him as an embarrassment. But no one questions why this young man has a drinking problem. Or do they and just not bother to talk about it because they are embarrassed about the circumstances? For me, and many readers I'm sure, know Gilbert uses alcohol excessively to numb himself to his environment. Gilbert is screaming for help, screaming for attention good or bad. He wants someone to shake him silly and show that they care what he is doing to himself, and they do not want to see him self destruct. He has decided, like many people do today, that living in a haze and making a choice to not deal with reality makes everything a little better. But the problems are still there when Gilbert sobers up, so he is left to continue to drink, and drink, and drink. Continuing to hurt his family who are all living in turmoil, especially hurting Hooker.

Thus far, Hooker's innocence continues to be blunt and it allows him to enter a safe haven. Hooker is very naive regarding his mother, brother and father's behaviour. This protects him and it also breaks him. This left me with the question is ignorance bliss? I have often wondered this when something comes into my life that I find difficult to deal with. Hooks attempts to talk to his mother and goes into her room and cannot comprehend why his mother wants nothing to do with her family. This affects his 'love map', growing up with a mother, well, growing up with a women who gave birth to you, but is not an active part of your life. He is kind hearted and fragile in every sort of way. He created a dark, peaceful, solemn, place to hold a 'funeral' for the deceased creatures. But thinking back makes me wonder.... When the squirrel was close to death, and Gilbert told him to put it out of it's misery, Hooker wouldn't. At first I thought because he is a meek and gentle lad, he did not have it in him to finish the squirrel off. But then a second thought came to mind; if he is so kind, wouldn't he want the squirrel to not be in pain? Wouldn't killing the squirrel actually mean saving it quicker, rather than watching it suffer in the grave. Watching it twitch, and lay in the freshly dug grave gasping for it's last few breaths, then resting forever. Why does Hooker let it suffer? Is it symbolism for how he feels? He is slowly dying, and people are all around who can help him, but no one will relieve the agony. This does not necessarily mean die, but his father does not talk to him. Or even ask him how he is coping and feeling with all the dysfunctional behaviour at home. Iris is his sanctuary, protector, and parent. But she cannot fill the role of a once active mother.

Jessica (the mother) hides in her room literally all the time. Hooker can see the window when he is outside by the barn with his cats. He wonders how much she really sees. She can watch her boy everyday grow, and she still chooses to miss out on time she could have been spending with him. What is going on in her head that she wants absolutely nothing to do with her family, acting as if they do not exist. Do they look like crazy people to her? Does she feel she is the only sane one remaining?