OR post #3

What are the major struggles and conflicts that your characters encounter?

In the novel, a major struggle for the main character, Cal, is his relationship with Gretchen, the seemingly crazy girl who wears strange clothes. At the beginning of the book Cal did his best to avoid her by ducking into nearby rooms when they crossed paths at school because he feared that she was trouble. Now however, Cal has strong feelings toward her because he wants her to be safe after he found out about her abusive father. Cal realizes he has to risk everything he has to save her from her cruel father when he draws inspiration from his father who risked his job to save a dog. Cal has this realization when he says, "and what my dad did, risking his job and all, convinced me that I had to do the same for Gretchen, no matter what, that I couldn't let her suffer anymore" (West 118). Upon Gretchen's request, Cal begins to spy on her at her house and see what her dad does. Another way Cal helps Gretchen alleviate her suffering from an abusive father and from her contained lifestyle is to take her out to a mall. Risking detention, Cal uses fake passes to take Gretchen out of school and have a fun time at the mall. Gretchen has a great time as it becomes apparent to Cal that Gretchen rarely, if ever does anything fun. It was her first time at the mall and when Cal hears her laugh for the first time his emotions are revealed as he states, "Gretchen laughed and I felt like grabbing her and twirling her around the whole cafeteria" (West 134). By committing part of his personal time to help someone in need, Cal is able to feel the joy that comes from charity.

Another conflict that is part of the novel is the conflict between Gretchen and her abusive father. Since the beginning of the novel Gretchen tells Cal of how he abuses her by showing him marks that were made by her father. She wants desperately to be free of the binds of her current way of life and asks Cal to help her. Cal agrees to help and also promises to never tell anyone about her father for she fears he will do something terrible to her as was done to her sister when she disobeyed their father. Cal shows Gretchen friendliness by visiting her at work and bringing her things her father would never allow. This allows Gretchen to learn that she has been extremely isolated for her whole life. Once she dreamt about Cal killing her father but felt bad because she did not want to displease God with thoughts of murder (West 115). So we learn that Gretchen wants very badly to get her father out of her life and she learns about herself by experiencing something so different than she ever has when she is with Cal.