Missing May Literary Elements

Contemporary Fiction, Young Adult Literature

The story is set in the rural Appalachian region of West Virginia during the late 20th century. Most of the events unfold in a modest trailer home where Summer lives with her Uncle Ob and Aunt May, as well as in the surrounding countryside.

The novel is narrated in the first person by Summer, a young girl who reflects on her experiences with her Aunt May, her Uncle Ob, and the aftermath of May’s death. This point of view offers an intimate and emotional perspective on the themes of love, loss, and healing.

The tone is tender and contemplative, with moments of sorrow, warmth, and quiet hope. The mood shifts between melancholy—especially in the wake of May’s death—and uplifting, as the characters find ways to heal and reconnect.

The protagonist is Summer, a young girl grappling with the loss of her beloved Aunt May and the emotional struggles of her Uncle Ob. The antagonist is the overwhelming grief that threatens to consume both Summer and Ob, making it difficult for them to move forward.

The main conflict revolves around the characters’ struggle to process their grief over May’s death. Summer and Ob each cope with their loss in different ways, and their journey toward healing forms the emotional core of the story.

The climax occurs when Summer and Ob, along with their quirky friend Cletus, travel in search of a spiritual sign from May. Although the journey does not provide the answers they seek, it becomes a turning point for Ob, who begins to find solace in the idea that life can go on despite loss.

May’s deep connection to nature and her nurturing personality, described early in the book, foreshadow the profound void her death leaves behind. Similarly, Cletus’s fascination with oddities hints at his role as a catalyst for helping Ob and Summer view their grief from a new perspective.

The simplicity of the characters’ dialogue and their everyday actions often understates the depth of their emotions. For example, Ob’s quiet withdrawal after May’s death speaks volumes about his grief, even though he rarely articulates his feelings.

The story alludes to themes of spirituality and the afterlife, drawing on cultural beliefs about connections between the living and the dead. These allusions deepen the exploration of grief and the hope for continued bonds with loved ones.

Rylant uses rich imagery to depict the Appalachian setting, from the lush hills and quiet streams to the small trailer home filled with memories of May. The descriptions of nature and objects in the home emphasize the love and warmth that May brought to their lives.

The paradox of grief is central to the story: while May’s death leaves a void that seems unbearable, it also brings Summer and Ob closer together and strengthens their bond, allowing them to support one another in ways they hadn’t before.

The cyclical patterns of nature described in the book parallel the characters’ emotional journey. Just as seasons change and life in the hills continues, Summer and Ob learn that healing and renewal are natural parts of life, even after profound loss.

The trailer home serves as a metonym for the family’s love and shared memories, symbolizing both their grief and the comfort they find in one another. May’s garden, filled with flowers she nurtured, acts as a synecdoche for her nurturing spirit and enduring presence in their lives.

Nature is often personified, with the hills, rivers, and wind reflecting the characters’ emotions. For example, the calmness of the landscape mirrors moments of peace, while stormy weather underscores feelings of turmoil and loss.