Several times Carol seems tempted to bump off one of her fellow residents, but then decides she is no longer really interested in her former “hobby.” What do you suppose changed for her, and why?
I think her decision reflects real emotional growth. She forms authentic connections with her friends, and those bonds make it harder for her to act purely out of self-interest. There’s also something about aging that shifts perspective — priorities change, and the need for belonging can outweigh darker impulses.
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Carol saw real people leading real lives and started connecting with them slowly. Therefore, it became harder and harder for her to think negative, destructive thoughts.
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She had 35 years of not dealing with others and had had relatively smooth sailing in her reentry into society. After a major set back (her past exposed, new friendships disappeared) it was not surprising she’d return to her old anger and murderous ways.
She needed the reassurance of friends that would like her -warts and all.
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Freedom! This free lifestyle was not taken lightly by Carol; however, at the end… not to reveal what happens, having friends was most important.
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I agree, Rose-S. I like your last sentence.
Yes, I completely agree with you Rose!
She really liked her new life at the retirement home. It was pleasant and she could come and go as she chose - eat at any restaurant etc. She had no desire to go back to being locked up in jail.
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Her years in prison certainly helped, but I agree she had grown emotionally. I would think that being a killer would be pretty stressful. A peaceful retirement might be appealing.
As others have already pointed out, once Carol had an emotional attachment to those around her, she was able to overlook some of their behaviors that would have infuriated in her earlier life. That must have been true with her fellow inmates since she didn’t kill again while in prison. I believe people can become a bit more forgiving as they get older; at least the lines blur and they see fewer issues in black and white. And let’s face it, haven’t most of us had semi-murderous thoughts about people who annoy us?
i agree with what has been said about her attachment. But I also think Carol had a code. She said she only killed people who deserved it. None of the people in the home had made her feel they needed to die
I think it was an impulse to want to bump someone off, but she had taken the time to get to know these people and she knew it wasn’t the right think to do.
She actually liked these people and had realized the value of having friends.