In The Egypt Game, why is April's concern about the empty mailbox and Dorothea's letter?
With a crazed killer on the loose in the neighborhood, the kids are in lockdown. That means no going outside to play; specifically, it means no Egypt Game, at least for the time being.
As one can imagine, it's difficult for the kids being cooped up inside all day. It's especially hard for April, who, without the Egypt Game to think about, starts thinking about other things such as the empty mailbox. April hasn't heard from her mom, Dorothea, in over a month, and she's understandably concerned.
But even when April finally does receive a letter from Dorothea, there's more to worry about. Dorothea doesn't answer any of the questions that April asked her; she simply tells her daughter that she's back in Hollywood and is working in a nightclub. She also tells her about Nick. But to April's consternation, Dorothea says nothing at all about April's coming home.
Without...
Unlock This Answer Now
Start your 48-hour free trial and get ahead in class. Boost your grades with access to expert answers and top-tier study guides. Thousands of students are already mastering their assignments—don't miss out. Cancel anytime.
Already a member? Log in here.
a more specific chapter reference, this question requires some guess work.
April's mother dreams of being a Hollywood star, and she has sent April away in order to pursue that dream. April believes that the situation is temporary; however, she starts to worry as her mother's letters do not show up with any kind of frequent regularity. This lack of communication from her mother really starts to worry April because April worries that her mother is beginning to forget about her. The longer the mailbox goes empty of letters from her mother, the more April worries.
Regarding the latest letter that the question mentions, I think it is asking about the letter from her mother mentioned in chapter 13. The letter tells April that her mother has married and moved in with Nick. Her mother also writes that she is sending April the rest of her stuff.
This letter devastates April because it confirms that she will not be joining up with her mother any time soon. April tears the letter up and flushes it down the toilet. Fortunately, by the end of the book, April no longer feels a huge draw to rejoin her mother, and April actually refuses the invite from her mother that finally shows up in the final chapters of the book.
Why is April worried about the empty mailbox in The Egypt Game?
April was sent to live with her grandmother because her mom does not have the time or desire to raise her while also pursuing an acting career.
When the book begins, April is devastated and quite unhappy at having been abandoned by her mother. She writes to her mom with some regularity and eagerly awaits some kind of response from her mother. She hopes for a letter, a postcard, something, anything, but day after day goes by, and the mailbox is continually empty. Her mom does not respond to the letters, and April worries about the mailbox continuing to be empty because it is further confirmation that her mom has really left her behind.
Fortunately, April makes great friends, and by the end of the book, she is quite content living with her grandmother.