The Silent Boy

Jacob is a young boy struggling with an undiagnosed disorder. Modern-day readers might recognize his nonverbal communication, close relationships with animals, and rocking movements as symptoms of autism. In the novel, however, he is referred to as an imbecile, touched in the head, or mentally ill. His silence and quiet movements make him a haunting figure in the community. His differences make people uncomfortable, thus he is an outcast and receives no formal education. He is essentially left on his own to find a way to get along in the world, and he chooses to focus on animals. His ability to comfort and soothe animals clues the reader in to the fact that this is a tender and kind boy, not a danger. Katy helps us see that though Jacob does not speak, he communicates in his own way, if one is willing to make the effort to engage with him.

Katy’s father is a benevolent man who cares for people across their community. He treats Katy with immense respect, sometimes talking to her as if she is his equal. He teaches her about the human body in a real way, as opposed to the silly euphemisms other adults use with children. Dr. Thatcher seems to understand Jacob in the same open and kind way as Katy. He teaches his daughter that she can be a doctor or anything she wishes and does not impose societal or gender norms on her.

Katy’s mother appears to be the perfect maternal figure. She is eternally kind and patient, making her daughter feel special and loved. She extends this kindness to all other characters in the novel as well. When she has a new baby, she takes great care to include Katy and never seems bothered by the demands of caring for a newborn. Although Mrs. Thatcher is kind, she is not as interested in breaking social norms as Katy, and thus represents an older generation and mental model. Katy aspires to emulate the good in both her mother and father. Her mother represents the safety and security of maternal goodness that can help a child fully blossom.

Peggy works for the Thatchers as their hired girl. She shares many qualities with Mrs. Thatcher, as they are both very maternal, kind, and concerned with propriety. As a farm girl with many responsibilities to her family, Peggy grew up early. She quite enjoys the domestic sphere and aspires to save money for her own home and family someday. She acts as a second mother figure for Katy, providing a great deal of comfort for an otherwise lonely only child. She is similarly maternal toward Jacob and is fond of him, like Katy.

Nell serves as the antithesis to her sister Peggy. Where Peggy is demure and docile, Nell is brash and forward. She is not interested in farm life and tolerates the domestic work of a hired girl because it is a means to an end. She aspires to marry up or to star in the movies so she can escape her small-town life. Essentially, she wants to escape the position she was born into and is willing to take great risks with her body and men if she thinks it will help her achieve what she wants. Nell becomes a cautionary tale, however. She is blinded by her desires and does not see that Paul is only using her for his own fun and exploration; he will not help her move from her social station.