Surviving the Applewhites

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2002

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Summary

Background

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-6

Chapters 7-11

Chapters 12-18

Chapters 19-24

Chapters 25-30

Character Analysis

Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Tools

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Discussion Questions

Themes

Individuality Versus Conformity

The novel delves into the theme of individuality versus conformity through the characters of E.D. and Jake. E.D. stands out within the Applewhite family as she does not conform to their artistic inclinations. While the rest of the Applewhites excel in various artistic pursuits, E.D. lacks such talents and instead values organization and structure. This fundamental difference sets her apart from her family and leads her to feel excluded and disconnected from them. The Applewhites are described by Bernstein as “an artistic dynasty” (56), with each member possessing a specific artistic skill, while E.D.’s strengths are overlooked. Throughout the narrative, however, E.D. learns to embrace her individuality. When Randolph offers her the role of stage manager for The Sound of Music production, E.D. can finally embrace her talent and contribute meaningfully within her family. By the novel’s end, she feels empowered and recognizes her skills. Her “quick thinking under pressure” (174) proves instrumental in the success of the play. E.D.’s journey illustrates the importance of staying true to oneself despite external pressures to conform.

Jake, too, exemplifies the theme. Initially an outsider burdened by the stigma of his troubled past, Jake leans into the bad kid label. He adopts a persona that conforms to society’s expectations of him, evident in his choice of clothes, hairstyle, and overall behavior. However, as Jake spends more time at Wit’s End and interacts with the Applewhites, he undergoes a transformation. He discovers hidden talents, such as his “magnificent voice” (80), which is recognized by Randolph, and finds joy in singing and performing on stage. This realization allows him to shed the facade he had adopted. Still, despite finding acceptance within the Applewhites, Jake remains true to himself. When Destiny asks him to dye his hair blonde like his own, he chooses to retain his natural brown hair. This decision symbolizes Jake’s assertion of his unique identity. Therefore, both Jake and E.D. come to understand the importance of embracing their individuality and going beyond superficial labels or appearances.

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This theme is further highlighted through Randolph’s unconventional casting choice of a rainbow cast for The Sound of Music. Despite the lack of strategic planning, Randolph’s decision to cast children from diverse ethnic backgrounds to portray the von Trapp children underscores the importance of embracing individuality and celebrating diversity. Lucille describes this approach as “unity out of diversity” (97), emphasizing the idea that unity can be achieved by respecting the uniqueness of each individual rather than expecting conformity to a single mold.

The Importance of Family and Community

The novel highlights the significance of family and community in both personal growth and achieving success. Right from the beginning, the Applewhites are portrayed as a tightly-knit clan, with Zedediah serving as the patriarch figure. They live together on the sprawling Wit’s End property, where they’ve established a functional ecosystem. Each family nucleus occupies its own cottage; there’s a wood shop, a vegetable garden, and, of course, the Creative Academy. At first, Jake is taken aback and overwhelmed by the closeness of the Applewhite family. He finds himself surprised by Destiny’s constant presence and by the chaos that seems to be ever-present. Additionally, Jake is initially paired with E.D. at school for “cooperative learning” (22), as emphasized by Zedediah, highlighting the importance of community support for success.

However, there are tensions within the family as each member is engrossed in their individual projects. Sybil feels neglected by Randolph, who prioritizes his play over her writing; Cordelia is fixated on her one-woman show, initially refusing to help her father with The Sound of Music; and Hal isolates himself in his room. These familial strains begin to dissipate as the family unites around the production of the show. Each member contributes their unique skills and talents to salvage the production: Lucille and Sybil handle costumes, Hal designs the set, Zedediah and Archie construct it, Cordelia manages choreography, E.D. assumes the role of stage manager, and Bernstein provides musical accompaniment with his accordion: “All of them, even the invisible Hal, had put their whole selves into this show by now. […] It didn’t matter anymore that it was Randolph’s show, that it was a project nobody else had wanted anything to do with. Everybody was involved in it now” (144). The barn renovation presents an additional hurdle, yet the family redoubles their efforts, and even Hal emerges from his seclusion. Ultimately, the success of the show underscores the power of family and community.

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Living with the Applewhites provides Jake with a sense of connection and belonging that he had never experienced before. Initially an outsider, he finds acceptance within the family. He forms a deep bond with Destiny, who affectionately refers to him as a brother, and even with E.D., as seen in Chapter 28 when the trio runs to the schoolroom hand in hand, laughing. Jake also begins to recognize his worth and potential, particularly his love for performing. Ultimately, Jake’s experience with the Applewhites highlights the importance of family and community in shaping one’s sense of identity and purpose.

Personal Growth and Transformation

Throughout the novel, main characters Jake and E.D. both embark on a journey of personal growth and transformation. Initially, Jake is depicted as a rebellious teenager, arriving at Wit’s End as a last resort before facing juvenile detention. With his scarlet spiked hair, earrings, and defiant attitude, he seems determined to disrupt the tranquil lives of the Applewhites “for however long he was going to be stuck with them” (12). Gradually, however, through his experiences living with the Applewhites, Jake undergoes a profound transformation, evolving into a more mature and self-aware individual. He sheds his rebellious facade, recognizing that he never really liked smoking, and forms meaningful connections with Winston, the family dog, and Destiny. He discovers his passion for singing and performing, taking pride in his “mellifluous voice and commanding stage presence” (176). The pivotal moment when he cuts off his trademark red hair and discards his piercings symbolizes his metamorphosis. This journey underscores the transformative power of community, illustrating how even troubled teens, deemed lost causes even by their own families, can thrive when provided with support and opportunities for self-expression.

E.D. also embarks on a significant journey of personal growth throughout the novel. Initially feeling like an outsider, she struggles with not having the same artistic talents as her family, instead valuing order and organization. Her initial resistance to welcoming Jake, dismissing him as a “just a plain ordinary delinquent” (8), reflects her immaturity and reluctance to look beyond the surface. As the narrative progresses, E.D. feels resentful toward Jake’s creativity and achievements, particularly with the Butterfly Project and his role in her father’s play. However, E.D. slowly matures and finds her place within her family. Assuming the role of stage manager for her father’s production, she experiences a sense of validation and recognition for her abilities, learning to embrace her individuality. Moreover, her relationship with Jake deepens into a fraternal relationship, proving the extent of E.D.’s evolution. They share moments of laughter and collaboration, as seen on the day of the play opening when she “[outlines] her plan, and he [grunts] agreement” (172). E.D.’s transformation highlights that even children who are different from their families can find fulfillment and thrive when they embrace their unique identities.

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The theme of personal growth and transformation is also conveyed through the symbolism of the butterflies. The science project E.D. and Jake are working on is the Butterfly Project, which entails capturing caterpillars to witness their metamorphosis into butterflies. This process mirrors the transformation of Jake and E.D.—just as the caterpillars undergo a transformation, Jake and E.D. also experience significant growth and change. In Chapter 22, the black butterfly symbolizes Jake’s completed metamorphosis, while the butterfly that lands on E.D.’s hand in Chapter 27 represents her transformation.