Setting

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Holes is set at Camp Green Lake, in Green Lake, Texas. Most of the action happens now or in the recent past; the novel is set recently enough for the camp records to be computerized and for characters to speak casually of “cyberspace.” Camp Green Lake’s name falls somewhere between a joke and a curse. Nothing is green there, and there is no lake. It is a full-blown desert, one where the average temperature in the shade is 95 degrees. The isolation—the boys arrive there via a nine-hour bus ride—and temperature combine to make it a perfect prison. There is nowhere they could run to, and the camp is the only known source of water for many miles. But long before they reached this water, they would have to cross a landscape full of rattlesnakes, scorpions, poisonous lizards, and even a few tarantulas.

The landscape is described vividly but not always realistically; Sacher is quite specific about how poisonous the lizards are and what they look like, but he does not mention any of the surrounding desert plants in any detail. The focus is always kept on four things: the threats produced by the heat, the threats produced by the surrounding animals, the camp itself, and the holes. The boys are continually digging holes (supposedly to build character), and so the area around the camp looks surreally artificial due to the hundreds of holes surrounding it that are exactly five feet deep and five feet wide.

While this is a fierce and austere setting, Green Lake is made more tragic and meaningful by the sections set 110 years in the past. Back then, Green Lake had been an actual lake, full of enough water for people to go boating, and the nearby town had been flourishing. That all ended when the townspeople killed one of two would-be lovers because of racism (he was black; she was white). No rain fell on Green Lake after that, creating a sense of a larger world in which justice is ordained and operates through magic and curses.

A few scenes are set elsewhere, either on the bus on the way to Camp Green Lake (before Stanley reached the camp) or in Stanley’s home (after he returned from the camp). While at Camp Green Lake, or on his walk through the nearby desert to the mountains with Zero, Stanley and Zero share stories of some other settings, such as the homeless shelter where Zero stayed or the playground area where Zero waited for his mother, who never returned. These are briefly but intensely captured, usually through what they mean to the characters. They are sites where intense emotional action or interaction occurred, not real places in themselves.

Expert Q&A

How is Camp Green Lake in "Holes" similar to and different from a traditional camp?

Camp Green Lake is similar to traditional camps in that it is set in the wilderness and the boys live in communal cabins, fostering a group identity. However, it differs significantly as it involves rigorous manual labor for "character development," which is a punitive aspect not common to most camps. Traditional camps typically offer physically strenuous activities but not as a form of punishment.

In Holes, where is the suitcase found?

In Holes, Stanley and Zero find the suitcase in the same location where Stanley first discovered the gold lipstick tube belonging to Kissin' Kate Barlow. The boys return to the hole at night, begin digging, and discover a suitcase filled with jewels and valuable stocks.

How does the setting in Holes impact the characters?

The setting of Camp Green Lake in Holes significantly impacts the characters' behavior and attitudes. In the present, the camp, a reform facility for juveniles, fosters unity as the boys adopt nicknames and ignore racial differences, as noted by Stanley. Conversely, in the past, the town's racial tensions led to the tragic killing of Sam due to his interracial relationship. This contrast highlights how the setting's transformation over time influences character dynamics.

Does Camp Green Lake live up to its name in reality?

Camp Green Lake ironically does not live up to its name. Instead of lush greenery and water, it is a hot, arid desert with no lake in sight. Inmates, like Stanley, endure harsh conditions, digging holes each day in a barren environment. Historically, it was a vibrant lake community, but a curse dried it up after a tragic event. Thus, the name is a stark contrast to its desolate reality.

What is the narrator's attitude towards the location of Camp Green Lake?

The narrator views the location of Camp Green Lake very negatively, describing it as a desolate "wasteland." This inhospitable setting, with its dried-up lake and deserted town, mirrors the detrimental effects of the camp on its inmates. The oppressive heat and lack of shade further emphasize its harshness, setting a grim backdrop for the experiences of Stanley and others at the camp.

Stanley's residence and key events in the novel "Holes"

Stanley Yelnats, the protagonist of Holes, resides at Camp Green Lake, a juvenile detention center. Key events include Stanley's discovery of a treasure linked to his family history, his friendship with Zero, and the revelation of the camp's dark secrets, ultimately leading to the camp's closure and Stanley's exoneration.

Bibliography

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Edgerton, Les. 2007. Hooked: Write Fiction That Grabs Readers at Page One and Never Lets Them Go. Cincinnati, OH: Writer’s Digest Books. As the title suggests, this book is aimed at helping writers focus their openings. A brief section discusses the plot and structure of Holes in terms of dramatic tension.

Hampton, Robin. 2006. “Digging Deeper.” Writer's Digest, May, pp. 50-53. This interview with Louis Sacher focuses on his writing method and the relationship between Holes and its sequel, Small Steps.

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