Discussion Topic
Stanley's Evolving Relationships with Zigzag and Zero in Holes
Summary:
In Holes, Stanley's relationships with Zigzag and Zero evolve significantly. Initially, Zigzag appears hostile and violent, harboring a grudge against Stanley, which culminates in a physical altercation. Conversely, Stanley forms a positive alliance with Zero, who is quiet and skilled at digging. This friendship develops when Stanley helps Zero learn to read. After Zero flees, Stanley pursues him, aiding his survival. Together, they uncover the treasure, revealing ancestral connections to its history.
What does Stanley learn about Zigzag in Chapter 17 of Holes?
Stanley learns Zigzag has harbored a grudge and can be violent.
All of the boys at Camp Green Lake go by nicknames. The nicknames are generally not flattering. Stanley’s nickname is Caveman. Other boys are named Zigzag and Zero. Zigzag thinks Zero is weird, but Stanley thinks Zigzag is pretty weird, too:
Zigzag had to be the "weirdest dude" Stanley had ever seen. He had a long skinny neck, and a big round head with wild frizzy blond hair that stuck out in all directions. His head seemed to bob up and down on his neck, like it was on a spring (Ch. 7).
It turns out Zigzag has some violent tendencies. All of the boys are forced to dig holes all day long that are as wide and deep as their shovel. It is supposedly character-building, but the boys know they are looking for something. The boy who finds...
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something when digging is allowed the rest of the day off. Zigzag is upset when Stanley finds a lipstick tube but gives it to X-ray instead of him, and expresses his frustration violently:
[Stanley] scooped up some dirt, and was raising it up to the surface when Zigzag's shovel caught him in the side of the head.
He collapsed.
He wasn't sure if he passed out or not. He looked up to see Zigzag's wild head staring down at him. "I ain't digging that dirt up," Zigzag said. "That's your dirt." (Ch. 17)
Zigzag is obviously still angry at Stanley. “Mom” makes no response except to tell Stanley not to nap. This is not a camp where anyone cares what happens to the boys. The boys only have value as diggers of holes to find treasure.
It turns out the warden is a descendant of Trout Walker, and she is looking for buried treasure. She could not care less about the fate of the boys in her care. They can bully and victimize each other all they want. She is just as cruel. Her only goal is the treasure.
How and why do Stanley's relationships with Zigzag and Zero change in Holes?
Throughout Holes, Stanley’s relationships with the other boys in D Tent become increasingly complex. When he demonstrates resilience by continuing to dig, the others begin to accept him, bestowing the nickname of Caveman. While he tries to get along with everyone, he soon realizes that he must form alliances. Zigzag starts to turn against Stanley when he refuses to show him what he discovered and instead turns over the find to X-Ray. It is soon revealed that Zigzag is a bully. His aggressive attitude soon devolves into violence as he hits Stanley with a shovel.
Zero is a small and generally quiet boy who excels at digging holes. In contrast to Zigzag, he gradually forms an alliance with Stanley. This changing relationship is based in part on Stanley’s realization that Zero is illiterate, and he helps him learn to read. Zigzag’s increasing violence erupts in another attack when he sees Zero helping dig Stanley’s hole—an exchange arrangement they reached for the tutoring. After Zero flees into the desert, Stanley goes after him, and his assistance is essential to Zero’s survival. Together, the boys solve the mystery and find the elusive treasure. It turns out that both boys had ancestors who were connected to its initial disappearance.