Paradise

Gigi’s boyfriend Mikey tells her that there is a rock formation in Wish, Arizona, in the shape of a man and woman perpetually having sex. Mikey says the rocks “embarrassed local people” and a committee of Methodists even considered blowing it up (63). The rock formation is provocative, and standing alone in the desert, it is obvious and out of place. Though we learn that neither the rock nor the town of Wish exists, the story of the rock formation parallels Gigi herself. Gigi is a particularly sexualized character. When we are first introduced to her, she is a distracting pair of “screaming tits.” She and K.D. eventually begin an affair, much to the dismay of Ruby’s residents. Gigi is comfortable with her body, sunbathing naked outside the Convent and inviting Seneca to take baths with her. Gigi, like the rock formation, exudes sexuality and provokes outrage. Similarly, as the rock formation stands alone in the desert, apparent for all to see, when Gigi arrives in Ruby, she sticks out like a sore thumb.

The Oven was constructed back in 1890, shortly after the founding of the town of Haven. It is a large, round, iron oven that was shared by all the families back then.