Five Survive

“Red went farther, farther, holding up the light to carve a path through the darkness. Her eyes alighted on a tree right ahead, alone, broken away from the others. Just like her. Branches spring full of leaves, quivering as she approached. Had the tree been pushed out by the others or left of its own accord?”

This quote highlights Red’s alienation from her friends. The comparison between her and the lonely, broken tree emphasizes how she feels and sees herself. Red’s trauma, the secret deal she made with Catherine, and her socioeconomic status keep her apart from her friends because they do not fully understand her, and she feels too guilty and undeserving of gaining their understanding.

“Red faced down the darkness, breath trapped in her throat. Why wasn’t she moving? Just move. And then the voice wasn’t hers anymore, it was her mom’s.”

This quote is reflective of Red’s trauma. She carries a lot of guilt surrounding her mother’s death, especially since her last words to her mother were hateful. The fact that the police never found the person responsible for her death also exacerbates Red’s guilt since she has no one else to hold accountable but herself. Her temporary paralysis after hearing the gunshot is a sign of her trauma.

“He punched the steering wheel. Again. And again. An inhuman sound in his throat.”

Oliver’s violent and aggressive response to stress and fear highlights his toxic masculinity. When faced with problems or situations that are out of his control, he adopts a domineering attitude and becomes a bully. His behavior continues to worsen throughout the novel, ultimately turning him into an antagonistic force inside the RV.