What do you think about the dynamic between Old Nick and Ma? Why do you think Old Nick allowed Jack to stay with Ma? Why do you think the author chose not the share Old Nick's story?
I had thought about that actually. I think it was one of the only kind things Old Nick did. But then again, what was his other choice? Anything else would raise questions.
I think in the beginning, Ma fought to get out. But after Jack came, her only thought was protecting him and ensuring his safety. So at that point she did all she could to make sure Old Nick never did anything to him.
If she had shown more of Old Nick in the book I think it would have ruined the distance that he had with both Ma and Jack. By not involving him more, it showed the tight bond between Jack and Ma and how Old Nick was just a pest and an outsider.
I think Nick definitely did have another choice. He could have "gotten rid of" Jack when Jack was first born and buried him in the backyard like he did the stillborn Ma had before Jack... so I think there was more to why Nick let Ma keep Jack..
Jack was Nick's flesh and blood... maybe in some twisted way, that was why...
The role between Nick and Ma was that of master and slave. Nick told her what to do and she did it.
Nick might have used Jack as a leverage to keep Ma in line. He could have threatened to take him away if she tried anything.
The author did not put more of Nick into the story because it was not his story....it was Jack's. To have included more of him would have taken away from Jack.
I had thought about that actually. I think it was one of the only kind things Old Nick did. But then again, what was his other choice? Anything else would raise questions.
ReplyDeleteI think in the beginning, Ma fought to get out. But after Jack came, her only thought was protecting him and ensuring his safety. So at that point she did all she could to make sure Old Nick never did anything to him.
If she had shown more of Old Nick in the book I think it would have ruined the distance that he had with both Ma and Jack. By not involving him more, it showed the tight bond between Jack and Ma and how Old Nick was just a pest and an outsider.
I think Nick definitely did have another choice. He could have "gotten rid of" Jack when Jack was first born and buried him in the backyard like he did the stillborn Ma had before Jack... so I think there was more to why Nick let Ma keep Jack..
ReplyDeleteJack was Nick's flesh and blood... maybe in some twisted way, that was why...
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ReplyDeleteI agree with both Amber and Kim.
ReplyDeleteThe role between Nick and Ma was that of master and slave. Nick told her what to do and she did it.
Nick might have used Jack as a leverage to keep Ma in line. He could have threatened to take him away if she tried anything.
The author did not put more of Nick into the story because it was not his story....it was Jack's. To have included more of him would have taken away from Jack.
Good point Sue!
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