Themes
Growth and Development: Throughout the story, the author conveys a sense of growth or development in the main characters of the story. For instance, Pearl Tull undergoes some growth in her character over the course of the story. She somewhat redeems herself by becoming a better grandparent than she was a mother to her children. Toward the end of her long life, she does not concern herself with her former rage in regards to how her children’s lives turn out. As time passes, Jenny is able to gradually develop into a more relaxed and loving person. Ezra appears to remain the same person he is in his childhood. For instance, he is unmarried, childless, and lives with his mother. Finally, Cody, the most aggressive and angry of the Tull children, remains as competitive and consumed with hate in adulthood as in childhood. Cody remains full of guilt and resentment until he has a brief instance of closure with his father. When he confronts his father, he feels free and is able to let go of some of his ill feelings towards the past.