The Nest

The novel’s title refers to the trust the Plumb siblings plan to inherit when Melody turns 40. For Jack and Melody, the funds represent The Illusion of Financial Security, as they assume they have an imminent rescue net to repair the financial decisions they have made throughout life. Despite not having the funds at the moment, neither Jack nor Melody are deterred because they trust that the funds will be available later. In this sense, there is a double meaning to “trust.”

The use of the descriptor “The Nest” gives the fund additional meaning. One’s childhood home with one’s parents is commonly called a nest. Growing up and moving out of one’s childhood home is referred to as “leaving the nest.” In doing so, one becomes an adult who is no longer dependent on parents for financial needs. This indicates independence and breaking of the reliance that a child has. Ironically, for the Plumbs, the “nest” they await makes them more dependent on their parents, not less. In this sense, then, needing the inheritance money to aid their own respective incomes, the Plumb children do not fully leave the nest or fully exert independence. Leo is arguably an exception, as he harbors a secret fund.