Sweep: The Story of a Girl and Her Monster

Friends who become family bring each other a sense of acceptance, love, and—above all—belonging. The Sweep and Nan love each other devotedly. Nan later learns from Charlie that the Sweep was contemplating death by suicide when he first saw the bundle on the ground that was the baby Nan. Taking care of Nan subsequently becomes his motivation to live. As the narrative states, “Every day the man knew he needed to stay alive because that little girl needed him” (333). As she listens to Charlie’s story, Nan considers Toby’s truism that, “We save ourselves by saving others” (333). The Sweep was saved by caring for Nan, who brought immeasurable love and purpose into his life.

Friendship and belonging is further explored in the relationship between Charlie and Nan, who find a sense of family and companionship together: a feeling that Nan has not known since the Sweep was alive. Just as the Sweep cared for Nan, Nan knows that she must now shelter and protect Charlie, who is deemed a monster by those who encounter him. Nan finds them both a safe place to live in the abandoned mansion that they call the captain’s house, where Charlie will be safe from prying eyes.