Discuss the role that grief and loss play in the novel. How do different characters respond to loss? How does the loss of Bobby affect Beth and Frank’s marriage? What role does grief play in shaping Beth’s relationship with Gabriel?
Grief and loss are themes that run throughout the novel. Beth grieves for her lost love and the loss of her son Bobby. Frank grieves I think for the love he never quite wholly feels from Beth. The death of Bobby affects them both so deeply -Beth secretly blames Frank for not watching Bobby and Frank has to live with his guilt. I think this affected their marriage in ways they did not realize. When Gabriel returned I think Beth was in a vulnerable position to “fall” in love again. I think the position of grief and loss do not make for good decision making.
Beth’s grief for Bobby had to resurface and maybe deepen when Gabriel returned and their friendship was renewed. Afterall, she knew Bobby was Gabriel’s son. Why didn’t she tell Gabriel sooner??
Jimmy blamed himself and responded to the loss by drinking. Beth blamed herself and Frank ,and Frank blamed himself. Frank decided he needed to take care of Jimmy because otherwise he would drink himself into oblivion as punishment for Bobby’s death.
I agree with your thoughts!
I agree with the opinions above. I think they all blamed themselves for Bobby’s death and spent years trying to make up for it, which of course they couldn’t. And I agree that Frank probably never felt that Beth truly loved him.