Vanishing Acts

Magic, precisely magic tricks, appears as a symbol throughout Vanishing Acts. Andrew is a magician, and even Ruthann pulls out the odd magic trick in the story. This magic deepens character relationships; for example, Ruthann pulls the trailer key from Sophie’s ear, and Andrew bonds with Delia while she serves as the magician’s assistant in his act. This magic is also a visual representation that parallels the lies and misdirection that run through the novel. Andrew uses a magic trick to deflect Delia’s uncomfortable questions in one case. When she asks if they ever planted a lemon tree, his response is to pull a strand of pearls from her ear. Magic depends on lies and misdirection to create the illusion of the impossible. Likewise, the characters use lies and misdirection to maintain their illusions.

At one point, Delia states that she does not believe in magic. Ruthann replies, “Me neither […] You never do, when you know how to do the tricks” (115). While Delia may have outgrown her belief in stage magic, she still believes in the lies of those around her. When Delia states that it takes two people to make a lie work, the same is true of magic.