illustration of Susie in the clouds with her charm bracelet above her head

The Lovely Bones

by Alice Sebold

Start Free Trial

Student Question

In The Lovely Bones, what are George Harvey's thoughts and potential motivations for his actions?

Quick answer:

George Harvey in The Lovely Bones is a 36-year-old serial killer and rapist, whose motivations are complex and rooted in his troubled past. Raised by a mother who encouraged petty crimes and a father who taught him to build, George's unstable childhood and lack of security manifested in his adult life through his criminal actions. His obsession with control and creating dollhouses reflects his desire for stability and dominance, stemming from his unhappy upbringing.

Expert Answers

An illustration of the letter 'A' in a speech bubbles

In Alice Sebold’s novel The Lovely Bones, the character George Harvey is the antagonist in the story. He is a 36-year-old sexual predator, a serial killer, and a rapist. He has raped and murdered Susie Salmon not far from her home. It is difficult to say for certain what George would be thinking because the psychology of a criminal and a pedophile is a complicated one. However, Susie gives information on George’s past that may help the reader understand what might have shaped him into the person he became. His mother taught him to shoplift and commit petty crimes at a young age and his father wasn’t typical but taught him how to build things. The family was always on the move, so young George had little security. George missed having a steady and safe home life, and this can be seen in his job of building dollhouses. Therefore, his actions of building and killing women come in part from his unhappy childhood and his lack of control over his own world.

Get Ahead with eNotes

Start your 48-hour free trial to access everything you need to rise to the top of the class. Enjoy expert answers and study guides ad-free and take your learning to the next level.

Get 48 Hours Free Access
Approved by eNotes Editorial