Jack and Mabel's sense of family
Posted: 12 Jan 2015, 22:33
The following is a discussion question from the publisher for the January 2015 book of the month, "The Snow Child" by Eowyn Ivey. Please do not read this topic until you have finished the book because this topic may contain spoilers.
Much of Jack and Mabel's sorrow comes from not having a family of their own, and yet they leave their extended family behind to move to Alaska. By the end of the novel, has their sense of family changed? Who would they consider a part of their family?
One of the great ironies in the story seems to be the way Jack and Mabel's loneliness and aloneness seems to contribute to their emotional and financial troubles, but yet they chose that as a form of a escape from the emotional crisis "back East". I recall at one point they were getting ready to leave Alaska. However, I think it's clear that after that they come to see Garett, Ester and the rest as their family. This is demonstrated by their choice to include a certain somebody in their will. What do you think?
Much of Jack and Mabel's sorrow comes from not having a family of their own, and yet they leave their extended family behind to move to Alaska. By the end of the novel, has their sense of family changed? Who would they consider a part of their family?
One of the great ironies in the story seems to be the way Jack and Mabel's loneliness and aloneness seems to contribute to their emotional and financial troubles, but yet they chose that as a form of a escape from the emotional crisis "back East". I recall at one point they were getting ready to leave Alaska. However, I think it's clear that after that they come to see Garett, Ester and the rest as their family. This is demonstrated by their choice to include a certain somebody in their will. What do you think?