Physical abuse
Quoyle would be the happiest person in the world if his family – his own father and his own brother – treated him as an equal. They made him believe that he was unworthy of happiness, that he was worse than other people. They used him to release their anger and need for dominating. As it turned out to be later, cruelty was a distinctive feature in Quoyle’s family. They hated and feared each other which resulted in toxic atmosphere in their house. Physical abuse was a part of their lives until it managed to destroy them all. It was not a surprise that Quoyle’s father hadn’t ended well.
Self-destruction
Self-destruction can be a result of a certain traumatic experience, a case of depression or other related psychological problems. People often talk about sufferings a person with self-destructive tendencies has to live with, but they rarely talk about all that horror their nearest and dearest have to see. Petal and Quoyle are equally unhappy in their marriage. The first one can’t settle down for her own inner demons continue to taunt her, while the latter continues to make excuses. One should understand that any relationship shouldn’t be one-sided. If one of partners needs help, it doesn’t mean others have to sacrifice themselves for their benefit.
The future
They say that no one knows what the future holds for us and it is true. Quoyle, a widower, jobless college dropout with two children and no family left except for his aunt, is almost sure that there is no happiness for him in this world, but the reality proves him wrong. His kindness, dedication and an ability to forgive and love helps him to restart, to build a new life without malice and toxic relationships. That is a story about a hope!
