“The mystery in how little we know of other people is no greater than the mystery of how much.”
Through her grief, Laurel confronts issues within the family that she finally has to face and fully understand. The statement refers to how much we know about the people around us than we can actually consciously acknowledge. Contrary to the notion that we really do not know much about others, Laurel shows how the mystery of how much we know is much greater. In the absence of her mother and father is when she realizes how much she actually knew about them in regard to their flaws, perception and issues in general.
“Memory had the character of spring. In some cases, it was the old wood that did the blooming.”
Memories are a big part of the plot in that Laurel’s healing and grief are undergone whilst reminiscing on her parent’s memories. She has to face the family issues that have subdued her emotional well-being by finally accepting certain elements about her family. Through memory, she understands her mother’s flaws which offer a new understanding of her own life. She recollects the good memories with his father and also the weighty ones that shaped their individual perspectives.
