Independence Day

by Richard Ford

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The Characters

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A number of characters play key roles in Independence Day, and reader perceptions of them are shaped primarily by Frank Bascombe’s point of view, which dominates the novel. To that extent, the perceptions Frank conveys of others are as much an index to his own character as to their individual identities.

Frank is a complex and enigmatic person. He loves his two children and stills feels strong emotions for his ex-wife even though they have grown estranged from each other. The ordeal of his past—which includes the death of his son, the break up of his family, and the aimless drift of his professional life—seems to have endowed him with wisdom and understanding that others in his life lack. He invites reader sympathy and beguiles with his calm, assuring manner as he smoothly conducts business and navigates the obstacles his awkward family situation puts before him. Yet Frank’s behavior sometimes contradicts the principles of self-reliance and independence that he promotes. He mildly embellishes the truth about his personal life to the Markhams as part of his tactics to sell them a house that he believes will be right for them. Moreover, he is not completely honest with himself about his feelings. Although he professes to be aloof from the emotions that troubled his past, he is bitter about Ann’s remarriage and unable to accept the exclusion from her life this suggests. In one of the novel’s most poignant moments, Frank chances upon a used copy of his one published book at the inn at which he and Paul stay in Cooperstown. He casually dismisses his discovery, and its reminder of life with Ann, until he reads a caustic inscription someone has written in it and is overcome with painful memories of their divorce. The scene subtly confirms that Frank is not in control of his emotions or as free from the ghosts of his past as he professes to be.

Paul Bascombe is in many ways the spitting image of his father. He is articulate, sensitive, and likeable despite his outbursts. Superficially, his problems can be understood as adolescent growing pains aggravated by anger and upset with his broken family. Yet Paul is also a surrogate for his father, on whom Frank projects his own emotional turmoil. Paul still clings to memories of his family’s happier past and is unable to forget the death of his brother Ralph or the family’s pet dog. His tantrums embody the same overpowering, unexpressed emotions with which his father grapples. Paul, like Frank, needs to establish “independence from whatever holds him captive: memory, history, bad events he struggles with, can’t control, but feels he should.” The climactic moment in the batting cage, when Paul angrily rises to Frank’s challenge and allows himself to be struck by a high-speed pitch, symbolizes how poorly father and son are faring in their mutual struggle for independence.

Ann and Sally are the women in Frank’s life. Although neither plays a major role in the events of the novel, each establishes a significant presence through her relationship with Frank. Ann is a loving mother who has put her past behind her in a way that Frank has not. However, her inability to control her son suggests that the course she has taken is possibly more beneficial to her than to her family. Sally is an admirably tolerant woman with whom Frank could have a more fulfilling relationship if only he could shake free of his memories of Ann and make a stronger emotional commitment. Frank’s ambivalence toward her sums up the dilemma of other characters in the novel,...

(This entire section contains 627 words.)

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who cling to illusions of the past and miss out on the opportunities of the moment.

Characters

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Frank Bascombe's New Life

Frank Bascombe, once the voice behind The Sportswriter, steps back into the spotlight, albeit several years down the line, having shed his former title. Relinquishing his pen for property keys, Frank now plies his trade as a realtor in the leafy New Jersey suburb of Haddam, a locale inspired by Ford's own Princeton backdrop. Although Frank has switched professions, the ache of lost love tugs at him; Ann, his ex-wife, has remarried and whisked their children off to the idyllic landscapes of Connecticut. In a bold attempt to cling to fragments of their shared history, Frank has taken up residence in her former home. He fancies himself a pillar of the community, yet the pursuit of happiness eludes him in his new guise as businessman and local advocate. The tale unfolds over a dynamic Fourth of July weekend, as Frank embarks on an unpredictable journey with his troubled teenage son Paul and navigates the complexities of his relationship with a new "lady friend," Sally.

The Enigma of Paul

Paul is a puzzle wrapped in unpredictability, mystifying both his parents and readers alike. His eccentricities range from barking like a canine to emitting odd "eeck" noises from his throat. Recently, he's run afoul of the law for shoplifting and subsequently striking the employee who apprehended him. Yet, Frank remains steadfast in his belief that Paul is not troubled, but rather a boy in need of direction and understanding. This conviction compels Frank to spend the holiday weekend visiting sports halls of fame with his son. However, the trip takes a dark turn at the Baseball Hall of Fame when an argument escalates, leading to Paul being struck by a pitch in the batting cage. This harrowing incident forces both father and son to reevaluate their lives.

Sally's Influence

Sally Caldwell, Frank's current romantic interest, brings a pragmatic and compassionate presence into his life. Their bond appears fragile, teetering on the brink of collapse more than once throughout the narrative. Known as the "widow" of Frank's schoolmate Wally—whose mysterious disappearance led to a legal death declaration—Sally exudes practicality and wisdom. She operates a business that provides Broadway tickets to terminally ill cancer patients, a vocation that starkly contrasts with Frank's commerce-centered interactions. Sally and Frank's paths cross when she seeks a realtor nearby to aid in expanding her business, discovering Frank was once connected to her missing husband. This professional encounter blossoms into something more personal as the story progresses. Despite previous misunderstandings due to Paul's accident, Sally reveals to Frank that it has uncovered admirable traits she always suspected in him, hinting at a deeper, more enduring connection on the horizon.

Characters

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Clarissa Bascombe
Meet Clarissa Bascombe, a spirited twelve-year-old whose maturity surpasses that of her elder brother Paul, despite the age gap. A daughter of Frank Bascombe and Ann Dykstra, she shares a delightful, playful camaraderie with her father. Clarissa already holds steadfast political beliefs, proudly aligning herself with her father as a Democrat.

Frank Bascombe
Frank Bascombe, the novel’s narrator, is a devoted father to Paul and Clarissa and the former husband of Ann Dykstra. Standing at the crossroads of his mid-forties, he thrives as a realtor in Haddam, New Jersey, finding both joy and success in his work. Frank’s past reveals a vivid tapestry; once a sportswriter for a magazine, and earlier still, a fiction writer with a published collection of short stories. A loyal Democrat in a predominantly Republican city, he eagerly anticipates a Democratic triumph in the looming presidential election.

Seven years have passed since Frank’s tumultuous divorce, a storm that, once weathered, ushered him into what he affectionately terms his “Existence Period” — a time of relative peace and stability. This era in his life, which he views as “more or less normal-under-the-microscope,” brings him a sense of happiness. Frank strives for what he describes as “maturity’s balance,” where the dualities of interest and indifference, intimacy and fleeting connections, coexist harmoniously. Living independently has granted him cherished freedom, though it has come at the expense of forging deep bonds. His cautious approach to significant decisions stems from a lack of confidence in his own judgment.

Yet, two pivotal figures in Frank's life challenge his self-satisfied perspective. Ann, his ex-wife, harbors some resentment and keeps him at arm’s length, despite his lingering hopes of reconciliation. She once pointedly remarked, “You just want everything to seem perfect and everybody to seem pleased. And you’re willing to let seem equal be. It makes pleasing anybody be an act of cowardice.” Sally Caldwell, Frank's current partner, offers a perspective that jolts his self-perception. She claims he lives in “mechanical isolation that couldn’t go on forever.” Sally perceives him as “smooth and . . . cautious and . . . noncommittal,” traits she finds difficult to fully embrace.

Paul Bascombe
Paul Bascombe, Frank’s fifteen-year-old son, is a bright yet unruly teenager who has strayed into legal trouble. Caught stealing three boxes of condoms and assaulting a female security guard, he now faces criminal charges. A psychiatrist has assessed him, finding no significant psychological issues, while camp counselors noted his intellectual prowess yet emotional immaturity. Obsessed with the past, Paul grapples with unresolved trauma, such as the death of the family dog, Mr. Toby, when he was just six.

He confides in his father, describing a perpetual cycle of introspection, constantly analyzing his thoughts in an attempt to ‘understand’ himself. This introspective quest is punctuated by odd barking noises and a knack for wordplay, which often leaves Frank grasping for a deeper connection. Paul’s sense of humor shines through his elusive responses to his father’s heart-to-heart conversations.

His physical appearance is less than appealing; his attire is shabby, and his hygiene is neglected. Frank laments that seeing his son on the streets might elicit pity. When they embark on a road trip, Frank is struck by Paul’s sudden growth and the peculiar shuffle and slumped shoulders that seem to embody a disdain for the world around him.

Myrlene Beavers
Myrlene Beavers, an eccentric and somewhat unstable elderly African American woman, resides across from Frank Bascombe’s rental properties in Haddam. With a vigilant eye on the neighborhood, she mistakenly assumes Frank is a burglar when he visits the McLeods for rent, promptly alerting the authorities.

Karl Bemish
Karl Bemish, at sixty-five, runs a hot-dog stand named Franks near the outskirts of Haddam, New Jersey. A burly man with hands like sausages and tiny ears, he resembles someone who might have hauled bricks for a living. After the loss of his wife, Karl left a three-decade career in ergonomics to explore new ventures. On a whim, he acquired a birch beer stand, christened Bemish’s Birch Beer Depot, without a clue about the retail or food industries. Initially successful, he soon stumbled due to his lack of practical know-how. Fate led him to cross paths with Frank Bascombe, who became a partner, took charge, and turned Franks into a thriving enterprise by erasing its debts.

Henry Burris
Meet Henry Burris, a distinguished eye surgeon known far and wide for his exceptional skill. At sixty, this southern gentleman presides over the esteemed Yale-Bunker Eye Clinic in New Haven, Connecticut. It is here that Ann arranges for him to undertake the delicate operation on Paul.

Sally Caldwell
Sally Caldwell, Bascombe’s striking forty-two-year-old partner, turns heads with her radiant blonde hair. Her life took a dramatic turn when her husband, Wally, vanished in Chicago mere weeks after his return from Vietnam, leaving her to single-handedly nurture their two children. In 1983, she sought solace in a seaside sanctuary by purchasing a beach house in South Mantoloking, New Jersey. Sally is the proud proprietor of an agency dedicated to securing Broadway tickets for those terminally ill. Her romance with Bascombe has unfolded over nearly a year. He paints a vivid picture of her: “angularly pretty, frosted-blond, blue-eyed, exceptionally tall, with legs that capture the essence of a model’s grace.” Their bond is strong, yet it lacks the permanence of commitment.

Char
Char is a thirty-something single mother who brings bold flavors to life as the chef at the Deerslayer Inn. Known for her candid and colorful personality, Bascombe offers a vivid description of her: “Frizzy blond hair, skin pale from indoor hours, blotchy in unseen places, sturdy little wrists and neck, and unrestrained breasts encased in her chef’s attire.” A walk to a bar with her is tentatively planned, but Bascombe ultimately decides against it, thankful to have sidestepped any deeper entanglement.

Clair Devane
Clair Devane was a vibrant, ambitious young black woman who carved out a career as a realtor in Bascombe’s office. Hailing from Talladega, Alabama, she was navigating life as a divorced mother of two. During her time at the realty office, she and Bascombe shared a fleeting romance. Tragically, two years later, Clair's life was cut short; she was raped and murdered while showing a condo to a client, her killer never found.

Ann Dykstra
Ann Dykstra, Bascombe’s former wife, is now remarried to Charley O’Dell and resides in Deep River, Connecticut, with her two children from her previous marriage. She was the one to end their union, prompted by Bascombe’s inability to heal from their son Ralph’s death. His departure and subsequent romantic escapades led to their parting. While Bascombe harbors a lingering love for Ann and dreams of a reunion, she remains distant. She candidly expresses that Charley is a superior partner, a truthful man she trusts, in stark contrast to Bascombe, who she believes never fully revealed his thoughts. Despite her claims, her marriage to Charley appears strained, a fact her children convey to Bascombe, mentioning the tumultuous arguments between their mother and stepfather.

Erik
Erik, a young patrol officer, arrives on the scene just as Bascombe suspiciously discards a dead bird into the shrubbery outside Ann’s residence. His curiosity is piqued, leading him to probe into Bascombe’s presence there.

Catherine Flaherty
Catherine Flaherty, a young woman who once shared a romantic chapter with Bascombe two years post-divorce, was pursuing her dreams in medicine at the time of their relationship.

Ted Houlihan
Ted Houlihan, a recently bereaved and retired engineer, is in the process of selling his home in Penns Neck, New Jersey. It’s the very house the Markhams are shown. Bascombe describes Ted as “a sharp-eyed, little white-haired man in his seventies… appearing to be the happiest soul in Penns Neck.” Diagnosed with testicular cancer, Ted plans to head to Tucson, Arizona, where his surgeon son will perform an operation. A twist of fate sees Ted sell his house to a Korean family through a different realty company, despite having an exclusive agreement with Bascombe’s firm, much to Bascombe’s dismay.

Carter Knott
Carter Knott, though infrequently seen by Bascombe, is a friend from Haddam, New Jersey. A veteran of the Vietnam War, Knott’s entrepreneurial ventures have blessed him with wealth. Now in his second marriage, he enjoys retirement while managing his investments.

Vonda Lusk
Vonda Lusk stands as the welcoming face of the Lauren-Schwindell realty firm where Bascombe works. She shared a close friendship with the late Clair Devane.

Joe Markham
Joe Markham, alongside his wife Phyllis, is eager to leave the unsatisfactory public schools of Vermont behind, seeking better opportunities for their daughter, Sonja, in Haddam, New Jersey. Once a schoolteacher, Joe has secured a position in the production department of a nearby textbook publisher. Additionally, he crafts pottery and sand-cast sculptures, with notable success in sales. Despite this, Joe often broods, exhibiting verbal aggression born from frustration over the challenging search for a home that satisfies both his desires and budget. He shows rudeness toward Bascombe more than once, but Bascombe dismisses it, driven by the potential sale.

Phyllis Markham
Phyllis Markham, in her forties, is Joe's wife and the mother of Sonja, along with a son from a previous marriage. Her creative flair shines through as she designs polished sales materials for Joe’s business. Yet, the pressure of their impending move weighs heavily on her, exacerbating her health concerns. Bascombe notes, “she carries herself as if there were a new burden of true woe on the earth and only she knows about it,” and describes her face as “malleable and sweet putty.” Her patience is tested but eventually rewarded, as she finds solace in renting Bascombe’s house after their strenuous home search.

Betty McLeod
Betty McLeod, a woman of pale complexion and sharp features, hails from a farm near Minnetonka and is a graduate of Grinnell. She is married to Larry McLeod. Bascombe paints a picture of her as a reclusive figure, cloistered within her home alongside her children. Her demeanor suggests an air of dissatisfaction, as if haunted by the shadows of choices past.

Larry McLeod
Larry McLeod, a seasoned black man navigating middle age, finds his livelihood in the mobile-home construction business near Haddam. He is a tenant in one of Bascombe’s properties. Having once served as a Green Beret, Larry is marked by a combative spirit and proves challenging to engage with. His rent payments are perpetually tardy, and during Bascombe's attempts to collect, a menacing automatic pistol casually perched on a table underlines the tension between landlord and tenant.

Charley O’Dell
Charley O'Dell, now sixty-one, is an affluent architect whose wealth is matched by his physical presence—a man of commanding stature, prematurely grayed hair, and formidable features. Known to Bascombe with derision as "the bricklayer," Charley met Bascombe four years prior. His relationship with Bascombe's son, Paul, is anything but harmonious, and his marriage to Ann, Bascombe's former wife, appears to be precariously balanced.

Irv Ornstein
Irv Ornstein, the half-brother Bascombe hasn't encountered in a quarter-century, reappears at a serendipitous moment following Paul’s accident. Irv's presence brings comfort as he maneuvers Bascombe to the hospital, sharing tales of his life’s journey—a twice-divorced flight simulator instructor with time spent on an Israeli kibbutz. Irv is a man adrift, seeking direction amidst life's uncertainties.

Dr. Stopler
Dr. Stopler, a psychiatrist practicing in New Haven, Connecticut, comes into Bascombe's orbit as "a fancy shrink" when called upon to evaluate Paul.

Mr. Tanks
Mr. Tanks, a towering African American in his forties, is clad in the green uniform of a Mayflower moving company. As a long-haul truck driver, he crosses paths with Bascombe at a motel shadowed by recent violence. With roots in Alhambra, California, Mr. Tanks, now divorced, contemplates a new life on the East Coast. In their exchange, Bascombe imparts wisdom on real estate matters.

Dr. Tisaris
Dr. Tisaris, a youthful female physician, attends to Paul at the Oneonta hospital following his eye injury, offering her medical expertise with a gentle touch.

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