Essay Questions

Discuss how the author develops the theme of grief in the novel The Furrows.

Cassandra and her Brother Wayne are very close friends in their childhood, and they look forward to growing older and having more experiences that are fruitful. Cassandra is twelve years old, while Wayne is seven years old. One day while Cassandra and Wayne are swimming and having fun, the unfortunate incident occurs when Wayne suddenly drowns. Cassandra and the well-wishers try their best to retrieve Wayne's body, but all in vain. When Cassandra returns home and informs her parents about the accident, they do their best, but Wayne's body is never recovered. Wayne's death leaves behind a trail of grief in Cassandra's family. Cassandra's father later leaves home and marries another wife to start a new family.

How does Cassandra’s mother cope with the death of her son Wayne?

Cassandra's mother grieves for most part of her life until, one day; she opens an organization that searches for missing children. According to Cassandra's mother, searching and locating missing children gives her gratification, which is the best way she can remember her son, Wayne. Therefore, Cassandra's mother spends the rest of her life taking care of the misplaced children as the best way of coping with grief.

What is the irony of Cassandra’s father?

Cassandra’s father is an ironic character because he leaves his family when it needs him most. Instead of sticking with her family during and after the death of his son Wayne, he betrays them by moving out to start a new family with another wife. Cassandra’s father forgets about his family completely because he no longer wants to remember the death of Wayne.