What did you think about Clayton’s role in the novel? How would you describe his feelings for Billie? Why does he seek her out? How do you think she feels about him?
Clayton was another pivotal character who shaped Billie and entered her life at a critical moment when she desperately needed someone. He was more of a role model to her than any of her family at that point in her life.
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Clayton seems drawn to Billie because he senses her difference and he wants to protect her. I think Billie was not aware of his affection towards her.
He is someone who noticed her when most people don’t. I think he’s curious about her because she is different. Clayton knows Billie is vulnerable and I think he was protective of her. I think Clayton needed Billie for his comfort and escape. Billie is intrigued and a little flattered for the attention Clayton gives her. I’m not sure Billie knows how to read him and it is confusing for her.
Clayton identified with Billie’s vulnerabilities; however, I’m not convinced he was stronger or provided her much comfort. He had a less than ideal childhood apparently and drank his way through life. Overall I thought Clayton was a downer in Billie’s life. She carried his confession throughout her life.
I think Clayton provided Billie with an opportunity to be more confident in herself because he seemed genuinely interested in her and wasn’t turned off by her peculiarity. Billie gave Clayton the opportunity to be in charge and be respected for his “way-of-the-world” knowledge. It never occurred to Billie that Clayton was becoming infatuated with her. And when it did she made the right decision. I think Clayton shared what he knew about the accident with Billie so she wouldn’t have wonder about it like everyone else, and also because keeping it to himself was driving him crazy. He felt like he could trust her not to share but wasn’t a hundred percent certain. I think Billie showed a high level of maturity by not sharing the information knowing that some people may react inappropriately. However had definitive action been taken against the Black family I think she would have shared what he knew. At the end of the day it wasn’t really Clayton fault that the car was driven recklessly.
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Clayton had big issues of his own, but he identified Billie as someone he could trust with his secret. And by this point in the book, Billie deserved the trust he placed in her, and she did not betray that trust. While his character was unsettled and possibly dangerous, he saw Billie as someone he wanted with him on his quest for a better life. His feelings for her may have been romantic, but I don’t think they were reciprocated.
I think Clayton is lonely, doesn’t really understand how to treat women, was involved in this horrible accident and wants some company as he’s running away from his life.
Clayton needed to confess to someone his involvement with the horrid accident. He believed that she would be the right and only person he could relate the story. The only person who might run away with him.
Billie was desperate for a friend. Clayton filled a role because he gave her attention and confided in her. I was so thankful she didn’t stay with him because it would have only pulled her farther down In life. I’m not sure he true what truly caring for some one was, nor. did she know that.
My thoughts regarding Clayton are mixed. He was like many kids who lose parents at a young age and who receive no guidance in their formative years. He was aimless and hurting and had no friends. Friendless young people often gravitate to each other. At the same time, I think he saw Billie as someone he could use and he seemed almost predatory on occasion. I did feel sorry for him related to his role in the car accident.
Clayton’s life could have been another book!
I did not like Clayton at all and I disagree with many of the assessments here about his personality, and interest in and affection for Billie.
I found him to be abhorrent, lacking morality and good judgment. He had a hard childhood. That’s beyond dispute. But he didn’t appear to have learned anything from it. He behaved in a totally irresponsible manner when he stayed out all night drinking. He was trying to hide that from his uncle and boss. He should have known better than to jump on the back of a car! And it never occurred to him to warn the driver about the tree?? To make matters worse, he hid after the accident, lied to the police about the circumstances, and then dumped the truth on Billie, begging her to keep his secret. He had no right to put her in that position. The kiss when he tried to convince her to go to Colorado with him? Pure emotional manipulation. He utterly confounded and confused Billie because her instinct is to do the right thing, but she is a compassionate, caring person and she empathized with Clayton because of his difficult childhood. She also recognizes that he did not deliberately cause hard ot the 7 victims. But on a visceral level, she knows she cannot run off to Colorado with him and, in my opinion, that wasn’t just because of her mother. She tried to imagine her life with him there, and rejected it.
His behavior was grossly negligent, rather than malicious. Sadly, the result is the same.
I don’t know how someone like Clayton lives with himself. But he probably managed it because they are unethical, immoral, and callous to begin with. I have no good feelings toward him and, although, I understand why the author chose to let Billie keep the secret, I would have gone straight to the police. Because that would have provided the answers the victims’ families needed and resulted in appropriate accountability for Clayton from which he would have had an opportunity to grow, learn, and make real amends (except that you can’t bring back the dead). On the subject of this character, I’m sure my background & education influence my views (retired attorney; spent many years with the 3rd largest law enforcement agency in the U.S.).
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Clayton was an interesting character. Yes, he was part of the accident and I’m sure he will live with his role in it for the rest of his life. Maybe some of his burden was released in telling Billie but she could have told the family what actually happened. He was drawn to Billie and maybe it was because they had more in common than they realized. I don’t think the feelings were mutual .. She was a bit fearful of him. Maybe if her mother hadn’t been that ill that day, Billie might have gone to Colorado with him, but I think her life would have turned out just like her mothers.