Swallowing Stones

“He will, in fact, think this is the best day of his life, because in that moment he does not know that he has accidentally killed a man.”

This quote from the prologue establishes the main conflict for Michael as well as the reader by preemptively eliminating doubt about where the bullet that killed Charlie Ward came from. This quote also relates to the theme of The Consequences of Impulsive Actions by showing how the death of Charlie Ward is a direct consequence of Michael’s impulsive decision to shoot his rifle.

“In the end, though, Jenna vacuumed not only every rug in the house but all the upholstered furniture and all the bedspreads and drapes. The work kept her busy, and she didn’t have to think, which, much as she hated to admit it, might have been just what her mother had in mind.”

Jenna realizes why her mother decided to clean the day after her father’s death. Both Meredith and Jenna seek ways to distract themselves from the shock of what has happened. This quote relates to the theme of Grief and Denial by showing how Jenna and Meredith avoid thinking about the tragedy that has befallen them.

“That was the thing about finding a stone in your throat when it was too late to spit it out. If you panicked and tried to take a deep breath, it would cut off your air and you’d die. You had to make yourself swallow it. The stone would probably tear your gut apart, but you’d survive.”

After Michael recalls the story of the girl who drowned because of a stone in her throat, he thinks about what she should’ve done and what should always be done when someone finds themselves in that position. This quote presents the titular motif of swallowing stones, which develops the theme of The Consequences of Impulsive Action by showing the difficult ways one must deal with said consequences.