St. Anne's Reading Group Experience discussion

Elinor, like Hallie, starts a second life in Blackwell. Elinor's life with her husband, and the example given of Topsy the elephant, show that that actions of the so called civilized world are not civilized at all, and are shown in juxtaposition to Blackwell. The wilderness is now a gentler and kinder place than the modern world. It is a place of healing and rebirth. The story is also told in first person, a shift in the storytelling. This could represent Blackwell defining its identity. Sara helps ensure her mother's new identity in Blackwell and then is reborn herself when Isaac pulls her from the river.