THEMES

          One of the main themes in this novel is adults underestimating a child's opinion or ideas. Hooker and Iris are the only normal ones in the family. He has the brain and comprehension of a normal 11-year-old boy, but in a weird way because no one around his thinks he can understand what is going on in his family. His father does not listen to him, and does not know how to take care of him the way a good father should take care of his son. Nicholas, Hooker’s father, seems too depressed. Rosetta, Nicholas’ sister does not know how to deal with Hooker, and avoids taking him seriously because she thinks he is too young and will not understand. Gilbert always listens to Hooker, but never takes him seriously, only listens to him because he has to as a brother, and thinks many of Hooker's ideas are dumb. Jessica, Hooker’s mother, refuses to see anyone, and in the off chance that she does see someone she acts like everyone is against her; she doesn't see them anymore for who they are in the present. Iris is the only person still close to Hooker. Together they are doing their best to keep the family from falling apart. Hooker tells her most of his ideas, and she always listens to him and will not ignore him because he is young. Most of the time, she thinks and reflects on what Hooker tells her, but many times she seems too busy to pay full attention and forgets that it might have been important. In the end, it probably was the downfall of the family, along with the insanity. Hooker had enough of his dysfunctional family and shoots everyone who is left except for Iris, and Gilbert because Gilbert already killed himself and Iris is the only other sane one. If the family had stayed together, and helped Hooker to comprehend what was happening, and to give him attention, this would not have happened. If the adults had stopped to listen to the boy, things may have gotten better.