Character Growth: Nyle

How did Nyle grow, develop, and mature throughout the novel?

I think that even from the beginning, Nyle was very mature for her age. She was friends with Muncie and didn't just judge her like everyone else did. But, I do think that at the beginning Nyle was afraid. She was afraid of losing another person that she loved and cared about. When Ezra arrived with his mother, she realized that she would like to be friends with Ezra but was afraid she might lose him the same way she lost her father, mother, and grandfather. Though, when she did realize that Ezra was getting better, she thought it would be ok to befriend him because there was a lower chance of getting hurt again. As their relationship grew, her fears shrunk. At the end when Ezra was getting ready to pass, I do think that Nyle was ready to accept it. Nyle was stronger once she let go, knowing that it would be ok and she could go on to love other people knowing that they cannot always be there.

Character Analysis: Gran

Gran was more of a minor character but I think she was very complex. She is a very strong and independent woman who has gone through a lot. I do not think Nyle even realized the things Gran did for her. Gran took in Ezra and Mrs.Trent, even when Nyle did not want them there at first. She always did what was right no matter how much she didn't want to or hard it was. She had to guide her granddaughter through her father leaving, her mother dying, and Ezra passing. She may have come across as a crusty old woman, but Gran really knew what she was doing and cared a lot about Nyle.

Phoenix Bird Perspective

When I was about half way through the novel I searched for a photo of the symbolistic Phoenix that best characterized Ezra. I can across the photograph above and thought it was perfect for him. The bird itself, Ezra, was rising above his past, or what looks like molten lava. I also came to think that the lava symbolized what happened to him with the death of his father and the radiation better them ashes. Ashes seem like it would be too unimportant anymore, finished, complete. Rather then lava is much more current, still relevant, still burning. I also noticed that there were claws coming out of the lava and trying to get a grasp on the phoenix to drag it down again. But the bird was powerful enough to survive. But Ezra was powerful enough to survive.

Once I finished the book I went to look for another picture to compare to the first, but once again, I still found the first picture of a phoenix the most relevant, but I chose it for different reasons. My perspective of the photo changed. Before I thought it was the phoenix rising from the lava, but now it seems as if the phoenix is being dragged under the molten mixture. I thought this because it's wings seem like they are reaching for something to hold onto so it couldn't fall. Its expression shows of a lost hope. The body of the bird seems to be straining and changing direction in hopes of the claws losing their grip. But even the powerful creature's efforts were not powerful enough to let it fly away. The lava was out of the phoenix's control and too powerful to escape. The radiation was out of Ezra's control and too powerful to escape. And Ezra fell.

The Puppy

Why was Ezra so upset about being gifted the puppy?

So far at this point of the story it seems Ezra still doesn't even believe that he will survive the high radiation dosages he has already been exposed to. From the beginning of the book to now Ezra has been acting as if he was attempting to prepare himself mentally for death, trying to make it easier, the window for example. I am thinking that he did not want the puppy because he was afraid of having something that he would come to love and then have to leave. Since he had a dog, from when Nyle first saw him through the hall way, and he likes Caleb, you get the impression he likes dogs. So, not liking the puppy couldn't have been a possibility. Not wanting to have to lose something else he loved, like his father, was most likely the reason for his dramatic reactions.

The Closed Curtain

Why did Ezra keep the curtains in the back bedroom closed?

I think the fact that he refused to let the curtains be open was because he was trying to shut himself off from the world. He did not want to except the truth because it would have made it harder to give up if he did not make it through his ailments. From being by his father's side through death to watching his world burn before his eyes, not knowing what he might soon be leaving would be the easiest thing to do. He was afraid, and sometimes when you are afraid it is easier to close your eyes before you jump.