Characters
Sal
While growing up, experiencing a first kiss, and moving are all significant parts of the protagonist's journey, the central theme of Walk Two Moons is the loss of a parent. Sal must come to terms with the fact that her mother will never return to her and her father. During a road trip with her grandparents, retracing her mother's steps to the bus accident and visiting her mother's grave, Sal realizes that she must let go of the hope of reuniting with her mother.
Sal is bewildered by her mother's decision to take the trip that ultimately led to her death. She partly believes that her mother's departure is related to the love or lack thereof between them. Additionally, Sugar lost an unborn baby, a struggle for Sal as the baby was lost after Sugar had carried Sal from a fall. Sal feels guilty about the baby and doesn't understand why her mother needed another child to love.
The move from the farm to the city pulls Sal away from everything she cherishes but is essential for her father's healing process. Sal is angry with her father because of the move and distances herself as much as possible from his life. Over time, Sal begins to understand and appreciate Margaret's role in their lives.
Sal's new circle of friends starts with Phoebe Winterbottom. Her family "appears" fairly typical, although her mother "works a little too hard" at being the perfect parent, as if compensating for something. Phoebe's story intersects with Sal's, with one notable difference—Mrs. Winterbottom returns home.
Another friend Sal makes is Ben; they seem inexplicably drawn to each other, though Sal is unsure about her feelings. As the story progresses, Sal and Ben grow closer, and Sal believes Ben has attempted to kiss her once. Sal uncovers a secret about Ben's mother, which she relates to because of similarities with her own mother. Their bond strengthens as they share their first kiss.
Sal's grandparents are crucial to her journey. They are loving and sweet, but a bit eccentric. Gram and Gramps adore Sal and are delighted to take her on a trip to Idaho. They are attuned to Sal's need to come to terms with her mother's death, though they seem unaffected by the emotional weight Sal carries on the journey. Their lightheartedness is evident through amusing anecdotes about their life together that "slip out" during the trip. As Sal confronts her mother's death by revisiting the bus accident site, Gramps must also face the loss of Gram. Ultimately, Sal draws strength from her family and their shared bond forged through their losses.
Expert Q&A
In Walk Two Moons, how does Sal adjust to her new home?
Sal struggles to adjust to her new home in Euclid, Ohio, finding it boring and cramped compared to her previous life in Bybanks, Kentucky. The small house and lack of nature make her feel confined. Despite her unhappiness, Sal befriends Phoebe Winterbottom, which helps distract her from thoughts of her absent mother and her father's relationship with Margaret Cadaver. Sal and Phoebe's vivid imaginations lead to adventures and shared experiences that gradually help Sal cope with her new environment.
Why does Sal imagine the wind is hurrying her on her road trip?
Sal imagines the wind urging her to "hurry" on her road trip due to a sense of urgency about the journey's importance. This feeling is heightened by her rural upbringing, where natural elements are often seen as spiritually significant. Despite her reluctance and fear of not surviving the trip, Sal feels compelled to reach Idaho for her mother's birthday, projecting this inner necessity onto the world around her.
How did Sal react to her mother's departure in Walk Two Moons?
Sal reacted to her mother's departure with a range of emotions, starting with numbness and progressing to anger. Initially, she felt lost without her mother to mirror, but eventually discovered her own emotions. Despite begging to accompany her mother, Sal was left behind, with the promise of her mother's return unfulfilled. Her father's decision to sell the farm compounded her distress, as Sal struggled with leaving the place her mother might return to.
What does Sal think caused her mother to lose her baby in Walk Two Moons?
Sal believes her mother's miscarriage was caused by lifting and carrying her after she broke her leg, an event Sal thinks led to the tragic loss. Despite lacking evidence, Sal is convinced of her own guilt, which deeply affects her. This belief contributes to her mother's severe depression and decision to leave the family, impacting Sal profoundly and causing her nightmares about the incident.
What does Sal mean when she says her story is hidden behind Phoebe's?
Sal's story is "hidden behind Phoebe's" because, like the fireplace her father uncovered, her own narrative is intertwined with Phoebe's. In Walk Two Moons, Sal's journey parallels Phoebe's as both deal with absent mothers. While Phoebe's story is more prominent, Sal's story emerges through their shared experiences. This analogy highlights how Sal's personal growth and understanding are built on her relationship with Phoebe, similar to how the fireplace was revealed by removing the plaster.
How does Sal feel about the road trip with her grandparents in Walk Two Moons?
Before the road trip starts, Sal is more resigned than enthusiastic about the upcoming week in a car with her grandparents. She wants to see her mother when they get to Idaho but is nervous about their driving and being away from her father. They seem happy to be spending time with her, and she considers them to be both sweet and peculiar.
What does Sal see on Mary Lou's garage roof and why does it make her feel peculiar?
Sal feels peculiar upon seeing Mr. and Mrs. Finney kissing on the garage roof because it reminds her of her parents' past intimacy before their baby died and her mother underwent a hysterectomy. This memory highlights her parents' current unhappiness and separation. Additionally, Sal's feelings of guilt over her father's loneliness and her own burgeoning romantic feelings for Ben contribute to her complex emotions.
What do the blackberries remind Sal of in Walk Two Moons?
The blackberries remind Sal of her mother because they used to pick them together during summer walks around fields and pastures. Her mother taught her that the middle blackberries were for people, while those at the top and bottom were for birds and rabbits. A specific memory involves Sal's mother filling bowls with blackberries for Sal and her father, paralleling a gesture her father made by picking flowers for them.
In Walk Two Moons, why does Sal wish her father wasn't such a good man?
Sal wishes that her father was not such a good man so that she could apportion at least some of the blame for her mother's departure from their lives onto him. Since he is a lovely man and a great father, it is impossible for her to blame him for her life having turned out the way it has.
Why isn't Sal interested in how her father met Mrs. Cadaver in Walk Two Moons?
In Walk Two Moons, Sal has no interest in knowing how her father and Mrs. Cadaver met, because she's still grieving her mother's death. In particular, Sal suspects that her father has already formed a romantic relationship with Mrs. Cadaver. Coming on the heels of her mother's untimely demise, such a prospect would have been extremely distasteful to Sal.
Sugar
Sal is bewildered by her mother's decision to take the trip that ultimately led to her death. She partly believes that her mother's departure is related to the love or lack thereof between them. However, Sugar's need to leave can be loosely tied to her feeling of being dead to her former self. The story uncovers Sugar's insecurities and her quest to rediscover herself. Mr. Hiddle cherished Sugar, was heartbroken by her departure, and devastated by her death. His unwavering kindness, contrasted with Sugar's behavior, contributed to her feelings of inadequacy. Additionally, Sugar lost an unborn baby, a struggle for Sal as the baby was lost after Sugar had carried Sal from a fall. Sal feels guilty about the baby and doesn't understand why her mother needed another child to love.
Mr. Hiddle
Mr. Hiddle cherished Sugar, was heartbroken by her departure, and devastated by her death. His unwavering kindness, contrasted with Sugar's behavior, contributed to her feelings of inadequacy. The move from the farm to the city pulls Sal away from everything she cherishes but is essential for her father's healing process. Sal is angry with her father because of the move and distances herself as much as possible from his life. Margaret Cadaver, who had become friends with Sugar and is the only survivor of the bus accident, advises Mr. Hiddle to relocate to Euclid. Unaware of the full significance of this friendship, Sal expresses displeasure towards his relationship with Margaret. Over time, Sal begins to understand and appreciate Margaret's role in their lives.
Margaret Cadaver
Margaret Cadaver, who had become friends with Sugar and is the only survivor of the bus accident, advises Mr. Hiddle to relocate to Euclid. Unaware of the full significance of this friendship, Sal expresses displeasure towards his relationship with Margaret. Over time, Sal begins to understand and appreciate Margaret's role in their lives.
Margaret's brother, Mr. Birkway, is the English teacher, and according to the students, he is far from typical. Mr. Birkway reminds Sal of her own mother and becomes a catalyst for many of the issues that Sal, Phoebe, and other students discuss. Another significant family member is Margaret's mother, Mrs. Partridge, who is blind. It is Mrs. Partridge who leaves the mysterious messages on Phoebe's doorstep, inadvertently connecting to the events occurring in the Winterbottom household.
Phoebe Winterbottom
Sal's new circle of friends starts with Phoebe Winterbottom. Her family "appears" fairly typical, although her mother "works a little too hard" at being the perfect parent, as if compensating for something. The family has certain expectations of Mrs. Winterbottom, often taking her for granted. Their world is upended when an illegitimate son surfaces. Initially, the young man does not reveal his identity, and Phoebe, who tends to exaggerate, perceives him as a lunatic. However, when Phoebe's mother vanishes around the same time this man arrives, Phoebe is almost convinced he is "the lunatic." The young man is connected to Mrs. Winterbottom's disappearance, but not in a malicious way. Phoebe's story intersects with Sal's, with one notable difference—Mrs. Winterbottom returns home.
Ben
Another friend Sal makes is Ben; they seem inexplicably drawn to each other, though Sal is unsure about her feelings. As the story progresses, Sal and Ben grow closer, and Sal believes Ben has attempted to kiss her once. Sal uncovers a secret about Ben's mother, which she relates to because of similarities with her own mother. Their bond strengthens as they share their first kiss.
Expert Q&A
What action of Ben's confused Sal in Walk Two Moons?
Sal is confused by Ben's attempts to kiss her, as she is initially unsure of his intentions. Ben's emotional openness contrasts with Sal's guarded nature, causing her to flinch when touched. His awkward attempts to kiss her, particularly in the library, leave Sal uncertain and unprepared, although she eventually finds herself interested in receiving her first kiss from him. This confusion is humorously described in Chapter 35, "The Plan."
Why does Ben offer to read Sal's palm in Walk Two Moons?
Ben offers to read Sal's palm as a playful, flirtatious gesture to hold her hand, introducing her to a pleasant, romantic touch. This occurs in a context where Sal, the protagonist, often avoids love and physical contact due to her difficult past. Ben, a classmate, uses this excuse to hold Sal's hand for several minutes, eventually admitting he doesn't know how to read palms, prompting Sal to pull away, surprised and confused.
Sal's grandparents
Sal's grandparents are crucial to her journey. They are loving and sweet, but a bit eccentric. Gram and Gramps adore Sal and are delighted to take her on a trip to Idaho. They are attuned to Sal's need to come to terms with her mother's death, though they seem unaffected by the emotional weight Sal carries on the journey. Their lightheartedness is evident through amusing anecdotes about their life together that "slip out" during the trip. As Sal confronts her mother's death by revisiting the bus accident site, Gramps must also face the loss of Gram. Ultimately, Sal draws strength from her family and their shared bond forged through their losses.
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.
Already a member? Log in here.
