How do you think the quote under Section IV fits in with the story? Explain.
What is significant about Andy's (and his dad's) death? Why does it hit Theo so hard?
What is ironic about Andy's death? What makes his father's death equally ironic?
Why do you think Mrs. Barbour is so excited to see Theo when she was so reserved in the past?
Why do you think Theo practices the sketchy business practices that he does?
p. 462 "She was the missing kingdom, the unbruised part of myself I'd lost with my mother." What does this suggest about Theo's obsession with Pippa?
Why does Theo trust Platt to help him deceive Lucius? Do you feel as confident that Platt will come through as Theo is? And what is significant about the name Lucius?
After the dinner with Lucius is over, do you think Lucius walked away confident that he was right? If not, what changed his mind? Why are the accusations so ludicrous to Theo?
Considering that his reputation would be trashed forever, Hobie takes Theo's confession pretty calmly. Why? Shouldn't he be more angry?
137 comments:
I think that Theo is so obsessed with Pippa because she was there the day that his mother died. On that day he lost everything that he truly loved. He really loved his mother so when he met Pippa again and saw she was alright it made him think of his mother. I think he sees his mother in Pippa and so he is obsessed with her and having her. Theo also believes that he has a special connection with Pippa and that makes him jealous of everyone else who has or tries to have a relationship with her. It seems that Pippa has a connection with Theo also but we are only seeing it from his point of view so Theo could be imagining it.
Mrs. Barbour is excited to see Theo because he's the closest thing to having Andy back. Although she was reserved in the past the recent deaths have obviously changed how she views other people and how open she is with others. To be honest I think she cared more about Theo in the past than she lead on, she just couldn't express it at the time because it wasn't in her nature.
Mrs. Barbour is so excited to see Theo because he is the living embodiment of her son. She's s reserved in the past that when she thinks about Andy, Theo is normally right there. I also believe that since the story is told from Theo's point of view he gave a very jaded account of Mrs. Barbour and the rest of that family. He claimed that they hated him and looked down upon, however at this point it is obvious that the family loved him very deeply. Mrs. Barbour has probably changed so that she loves what she has instead of being cold in order to keep her appearances up. She has a newfound respect for everything that she has now.
The most chilling thing about Andy and Mr.Barbours death was that it truly put Mr.Barbours mental instability on display, before it had been mentioned offhand during the childhood sections of the book, just sly references to it, almost being played as some sort of extreme dark humor. Now, it just popped up and decided to play it horrifyingly straight. the ironic thing about Andy's death is of course that it happened on a boat and in water, his absolute most hated places to be even in childhood, his dads irony comes instead from how he died in his favorite element, the one he was obsessed with and praising till the very end. Hobie is a naturally forgiving person and must feel kind of guilty for getting into such a big debt in the first place, that and he knows that Theo had good-ish intentions. I trust Platt to keep his mouth shut at least.
In the past Mrs. Barbour always seemed to look down on Theo and did not show much affection towards him especially when you would except someone in her position to show extra attention to him. I think this stems from her higher rank in society and her wealth, she felt that she and the rest of her family were better than him. I think that Mrs. Barbour was so excited to see him now because she is not the same person she was back then. Death changes people, and for her it changed her outlook on others. I think she always cared for Theo in the past, but she simply never showed it. Now, she realizes that all the money and high society parties could not have saved her husband and her son and she has a new appreciation for Theo because for a while he practically was family. Also, since he played such a major role in Andy’s life, I think she is grateful for that.
The most ironic thing about the death of Andy and Mr. Barbour is that they were together, and on a boat. Andy died doing something he absolutely despised, he never wanted to be there in the first place, Kitsey actually convinced him to go there and out of kindness, he did, and in the end, he died. To make it a bit more ironic, he tried to do his sister a favor, and he paid the price for it. If I was looking into this more, I would ask if that was karma for how Kitsey used to treat Andy. What made Mr. Barbour's death ironic was how it contrasted to Andy's. While Andy died doing something he despised, Mr. Barbour died doing something he said he would die doing. He died when he was in his element, figuratively and literally. It's said to die doing something you love, Mr. Barbour did, Andy quite the opposite.
I agree with Julie Andy's death is very ironic because he died doing something he hated doing and he never wanted to go there in the first place and he only went out there to be kind and Kitsey already had to beg him to do so. I also agree with Susan the death of Mr. Barbour is kinda of a realization of how bad his mental illness was. I think this hit Theo so hard because the Barbour's took him in and Andy was a good friend before he went to live with them even thought they drifted apart for a while.
I think Theo practices sketchy business because he can get away with it. The first time was something that happened by chance. He saw a woman stealing, told her the wrong price, and she paid it. Theo probably didn’t think that it would work that first time, but it did. After some time passed, I think Theo realized that he had a knack for upselling pieces that were being passed off as antiques. Then once he realized that he could fool most people, including curators and collectors, it became a regular practice. If someone was unhappy, Theo offered to buy the piece back with interest. The shop was profitable as it had once been. That is, until Lucius Reeves put up a fuss and forced Theo to come clean.
Mrs. Barbour was very reserved in the past, but now she gets excited when she sees Theo. I think this change happened for multiple reasons. Firstly, in the past Mrs. Barbour had an image to uphold. Because of her position in society and the people she associated with, I think that she had to appear a certain way, and I think she tried to appear this way towards everyone. In doing so, she was seen as cold when she might not actually be cold. Secondly, I think when her son and husband died, she realized that money didn’t matter anymore. Family mattered, and Mrs. Barbour always felt like Theo was a part of the family. Finally, Theo hadn’t seen the Barbours in years. He had been out of their lives for quite some time and, for Mrs. Barbour, seeing him was like seeing family.
Theo and Mrs. Barbour have always had a reserved and complicated relationship. Theo was kind of that kid that Mrs. Barbour treated like a son but deep down never saw him as her kid. Until they reconnect when Theo is older, I think Mrs. Barbour really realizes how much Theo meant to her. She has a hole in heart for her son that for any mother would never go away. When she sees Theo for the first time after the loss of Andy, it’s a painful but welcoming sting to her heart. I think a lot of her reconnection has to do to with the fact that Theo was Andy’s best friend, but also because she understands what Theo has gone through. Maybe she sees it as a second chance.
Theo is obsessed with Pippa, because Pippa is the last remaining shard of his life before the tragedy. She is the last thing he saw before the explosion, so he associates his normal life with Pippa. With Pippa he still has his mother, he no longer has to worry about the painting, and he doesn't have to worry about his drug addiction. Pippa represents his normal life and I can see why he loves her so much
Theo’s obsession with Pippa isn’t anything THAT unusual. He associates Pippa with his mother because his mother is someone who he loved and lost. Pippa was in the same museum when it exploded and was there the same day that Theo’s mother died. There is no way to judge a person by how they cope of a loved one’s death. Theo loves Pippa because she fills the hole on his heart that his mother left. He doesn’t stalk her or is completely obsessed with her though. In truth, Theo just loves her unconditionally but knows that it is unrequited love. It’s sad that he has to carry the love for someone else when he knows that it will never be returned.
Hobie takes Theo's confession so calmly because there is nothing they can do about it now but to fix it and move on, and Hobie trusts Theo to fix it. Also, I think that Hobie is blaming himself a lot because he put Theo in that position where he would be tempted. Theo did what he had to to get them out of debt and Hobie probably noticed the insane amount of money coming in too, but didn't say anything because he was purposely pushing it out of his mind and letting Theo take control. I think that although Hobie has the right to get mad, he stays calm because in a way he has as much to do with it as Theo.
While Andy and his father's deaths were indeed ironic, they were ironic in different ways. For Andy since childhood, he had always hated the water. He always complained when the family had to go sailing at their second house, and always had the slightest notion of fear in the back of his head. Andy's fear and hatred contributed to the irony of his death, as Andy was killed by the very thing he hated and resented the most. Andy had such a bright future ahead of him. He was attending MIT, and everything seemed to be going right for the boy. However his future was cut short by the murky waters of fate itself. Andy's father's death was equally ironic. Being quite the opposite of Andy, his father loved the water. He practically lived and breathed it, and I believe at one point in the novel there was an expression of how, if he could, Andy's father would live on the water forever with no intention of coming back to land. In this case, Andy's father was killed by the very thing he loved the most. In fact, it almost seemed to me that this was a more merciful death for Andy's father than anything else would have been. Though neither characters were deserving of death, both characters happened to be killed by the same force of nature but with completely different meanings behind their respective demises.
As we have seen before, Hobie is a kind person. He doesn't take very well to mean people, and he certainly isn't a person that has a habit of yelling. Though indeed his reputation would be ruined, Hobie takes to Theo's confession in a very calm and collected manner. Hobie should have been furious. In fact, Hobie had every reason to be angry. After all, everything he had worked for with Weltie was practically ruined, and not to mention he was consistently lied to when he had put all his trust in Theo. However, Hobie wasn't angry in the slightest. Surprisingly, Hobie was incredibly supportive of Theo. I think that Hobie believed in the policy of "forgive and forget". Hobie saw that Theo was disappointed in what he had done, so there was no need to punish him for it. Instead, Hobie gave Theo advice on what to do and how to fix the mess that had been created, despite its enormity and severe consequences. With Hobie doing this, it helped to strengthen the bond between him and Theo, opening the door for more situations like these to come to fruition.
The biggest reason why Hobie takes Theo's confession calmly is because that is simply how he is. Hobie is the most calm person that would only look at the good in any situation. If Hobie became more angry, it would make the confession turn into an argument and since Hobie was calm, they simply had a discussion. The calmness expressed by Hobie made it so Theo could stop and think of what they could do to get out of the situation. Theo didn't have much to say especially because Hobie wasn't getting extremely angry over Theo's decisions.
Theo trusts Platt to help him decieve Lucius because he knows that Platt is in no situation to not get Theo's help in return for him helping Theo. I wasn't confident that Platt would come through even though Theo seemed to really trust that he would. To me, what comes to mind when I think of the name Lucius is Lucius Malfoy. Lucius Malfoy and Lucius Reeve are similar because both had money and in any situation felt they always had the upper hand. When I first read Lucius Reeve's name in the book, I misread it as Lucius Malfoy and questioned why a character from Harry Potter was in this book until I re-looked at his name.
I think Andy and his father's deaths hit Theo so hard because Andy was his only real childhood friend and Andy's father was the person who took him in when he really needed it. I think he also kind of expected Andy and his father to be okay even though he hadn't spoken to them in a long time, like they were something that only existed in the back of his mind and that nothing could happen to them. Although they were only in the back of his mind it doesn't mean that he didn't still care for them, Theo is odd in the sense that the people he cares about the most are the ones that he puts in the back of his mind. Selfish, but not selfish at the same time.
Growing up, Andy and Theo were close buddies, always having each other's backs when times were rough. After growing apart, Theo hit a rough patch and ran to the only closest friend he could think of, Andy. Andy and Theo are two very different people, but they are also very similar in other ways. Mrs. Barbour was happy to see Theo because she knew Theo to be the closest thing to Andy practically their whole lives. I feel like in a way, Mrs. Barbour knew Theo was someone she could relate with. Since the death of Theo's mother, Mrs. Barbour was very distant. But after the death of her husband and her son, she knew he was someone that could relate to what her and her family was going through.
Throughout most of the chapters that Andy was described in, he complained about sailing out of everything else. Andy didn't like sailing, never did and never would. This made his death so ironic because he died while sailing with his dad. He wasn't planning on going sailing that weekend, it was Kitsey's turn to be with her father. While Mr. Barbour was dealing with a difficult case of Bipolar, Andy was dealing with severe hatred of sailing on a weekend he wasn't suppose to be with his father. Although Mr. Barbour had Bipolar most of his life, he died doing something that he loved more than anything, sailing.
The quote from page 462 just shows how much Pippa means to Theo.Theo met Pippa the same day he lost everything. Pippa is the last piece of Theo's life before everything fell apart. She survived and yet his mom didn't. Pippa and Theo bond and grieve together because they both lost important people that day. Theo lost his mother and Pippa lost Welty they understand each other on a another level than others. I wouldn't describe Theo's feelings as an obsession but more as an understanding between two people.
Andy and Mr.Barbour's deaths are both very ironic. Growing up Andy hated sailing. Even in the brief time when Theo stayed with the Barbour's he still hated it even if Theo was there. He often would be sick on the boat and thought that there was much better things to do than spend time on the water. Andy died doing something he absolutely hated. He wasn't even supposed to be out sailing with his father he was supposed to be at school. On the other hand Mr. Barbour lived and breathed sailing. It was the one things that remained constant in his life when he was struggling with the mood swings of Bipolar disorder. Mr. Barbour died doing the very thing that he lived for.
Broken families show up a lot in The Goldfinch. Father figures in the novel tend to be poorer role models. The quote by Schiller is "It is not flesh and blood, but heart which makes us fathers and sons." No son finds a healthy relationship with his biological father in this novel. Theo hates his crooked father for gambling, stealing, and drinking. Boris hates his aloof, drunken father for dragging him across the globe. Andy hates his mentally-ill father for trying to push beliefs on him. Just because blood ties the men to the sons doesn't mean that they cared all that much. Theo found a benevolent, trustworthy father in Hobie. Boris respected Theo's father for wanting to be in his son's life and providing for him. Andy, unfortunately, died while trying to remain loyal to a father who didn't care about his own interests. As far as the family aspect, the sons have hearts that are all different from their fathers, so they can't relate to them and actually detest them for it. All try their hardest to avoid being what their father was, but all ironically end up in nearly identical situations: Theo's a crook, Boris is an alcoholic, and Andy's dead.
I appreciate Tartt's writing when it comes to Theo's obsession with Pippa, because she presents it as just that—an obsession. As his feelings towards Pippa are explored, they become far less like a childhood crush and more unnerving in nature. Still, nothing ever leads to me scratch my head and wonder why Theo is so taken by her; in regards to what she means to him, his conduct, if occasionally creepy, makes perfect sense. She is his "missing kingdom", as he puts it, because she came into his life directly before everything went wrong. Pippa lost things just like him, such as Welty and her own stability, but she never loses her whimsical nature. After everything that has happened, she is "unbruised" in that she doesn't wear the effects of the explosion for everyone to see; she still seems untouched and carefree, with a good head propped on her shoulders. Theo has gone so downhill since losing his mother that Pippa is absolutely the only light he can see, because she is tethered to the Before and acts as hope for the After. All of his happiness was lost when his mother died, and now Theo visibly yearns to connect with Pippa so he can restore it.
Theo's obsession with Pippa is all because of the explosion. She was the last person he saw before losing his mother. I believe that Theo relates to Pippa because she lost someone in the explosion as well. He connects her to the last moments of his normal life with his mother, and that is something he isn't planning on letting go of. Pippa is basically the only other person he has who understands what he is going through at the moment, and that is what gives them such a strong connection.
Andy and his father's deaths hit Theo hard because he had a strong relationship with them in the past. Andy was his old childhood friend and his father took him in when he needed it most. During their childhood, Andy would complain about sailing. He just wasn't a fan of it. Because of that, it's ironic that they died while sailing.
Given Mrs. Barbour's recent losses it makes sense that she would be overjoyed to see Theo again. She may not have realized how much Theo was a part of the family in the past, and now that Andy and Mr. Barbour are no longer there she may have realized that Theo had a larger impact on her life than she thought. Theo is almost the replacement for Andy in that the two were so close when they were children. I think Theo was hit so hard by Andy's and Mr. Barbour's death both because of the timing it occurred and the fact that it was something Theo never even considered. The Barbour family was his first family after his mother's death, so Theo may have never even considered the fact that it was possible to lose any of them.
I think Theo practices his sketchy business tactics because of the way his father acted when conducting his business. Theo may have indirectly picked up on his father's bad habits and began practicing them without noticing until it was too late. Theo also does not seem to have any remorse against stealing from wealthy people, just as he didn't when he suggested pick pocketing them in Vegas with Boris. Theo knows that Hobie needs the money not only for himself but for the business and Theo finds that his shady practices are the only way to get the money they need. However, Theo's obsession snowballs into something greater than he may have wanted it to become and finds that it is too late for him to stop and correct his mistake without ruining the reputation of not only himself, but Hobie too.
"It is not flesh and blood, but heart which makes us fathers and sons." -Schiller (pg. 429). As Melanie said, broken families are a prominent role in all aspects of The Goldfinch. All fathers in this novel are ill-suited for their sons. Theo's father's crime and gambling habits, Boris's father's alcoholism and violent outbursts, and Andy's father's mental instability make out for poor father figures in all three boy's lives. On top of these poor father's, all three boys have no other family to fall back on.Theo's and Boris's mothers' deaths and Andy's picture-perfect, yet cold and distant family force the boys to believe that they are alone. However, their friendship allows them to become like brothers.
This quote is also significant to the novel in respect to Theo's fatherly figure, Hobie. Hobie cares for Theo like his father never did. And although Theo becomes similar to his father in his crooked dealings, Hobie doesn't abandon Theo like every other person in his life. Hobie's generosity and enormous capacity for understanding reflects his open heart, which affects Theo. These qualities of Hobie are passed on to Theo, even if the slightest manner.
I agree with Jeff, Andy and Theo's dad impacted his life when he was young, Andy died doing something that he cared so little for while Theo's dad died doing something he liked, they both contrast each other yet show that you never know what you are going to be doing when you die so make the most out of your life, chase your dreams, and live a happy life regardless of what others think.
Andy's death was ironic because he died out at sea. Sailing was something he absolutely hated he always got sick and he wasn't a competent sailor. To be killed by something he hated so much is just an awful ironic death. Mr. Barbour's death was also ironic because he loved the sea and considered himself an outstanding sailor. It's especially ironic because he has lost his sister and a few other family members to the sea. When I read that he died and also read the way he died I was like 'Couldn't you take a hint? Maybe your family shouldn't be out at sea.' but given his bipolar mind I can see how he needed some form of stress relief.
Theo practices sketchy business practices to earn more money. His family when, he was a kid, seemed to barely have enough money to live off of. Theo wanted to make sure that he did. Hobie also made the knock-off furniture look so realistic, that no one who didn't know furniture wouldn't find out unless they got an appraisal. Theo also seemed to take the sketchy deals off of his dad. His dad was always making deals and didn't tell the family about it because they were not right. Theo says that he is not like his dad at all, but the way he made the furniture deals was exactly like his dad would have done. Hobie, was also in financial trouble with the business and needed money to keep the business open. Without the extra money that Theo was pulling in, Hobie would have to close the store. If the store had to close for good, it would drive Hobie into despair because his passion for furniture restoration would be done as well.
The ironic part about Andy's death is that Andy died sailing. He hated sailing while growing up and didn't want to do anything with it. Andy's father's death is equally ironic is that he made himself out to sound like one of the best sailors in New England. The difference between Andy's death and Mr. Barbour's death is that Andy died doing something he hated, while Mr. Barbour died doing something he loved. The thing that is significant about Andy and Mr. Barbour's death is that Theo thought of them as family. Theo and Andy were best friends in school and Mr. Barbour took him in without questions after the explosion.
In the past, Mrs. Barbour had no reason to be so friendly and personal with Theo. She thought of the whole situation as just temporarily helping a kid who lost his mother in an unfortunate event. Now, Mrs. Barbour is much more happy to see Theo. She loves talking to him and having dinners with him so much that Platt is starting to show a bit of jealousy. The reason behind this change of behavior is the similar experiences Theo and Mrs. Barbour have had. After realizing how awful it is to lose a loved one, Mrs. Barbour is finally able to connect with Theo. She is able to feel the pain he went through, and because of this, she is much more excited to see him now than she ever was before.
I have to admit, I find Mr. Barbour's death a bit more ironic than Andy's. Earlier in the book, Mr. Barbour stated that the sea gave him a feeling of great freedom. Now the sea has captured him and taken his life...not exactly what you would call freedom. Then again, though, one may also feel that the sea still did free Mr. Barbour. He spent much of his life suffering from bipolar disorder, which worsened rapidly in the time leading up to his death; on top of that, Mr. Barbour had to live with a family that did not share his immense passion for sailing. He must have felt like such an outcast! In that respect, the sea has freed Mr. Barbour. By ending his life, it also terminated his emotional and mental suffering. In addition, the last thing Mr. Barbour did before leaving Earth was the thing he loved more than anything else; this allowed most of the man's final thoughts to be pleasant and uplifting. The sea Mr. Barbour loved has loved him right back, providing him with a small escape--and later, a permanent escape--from all the things that tormented him.
When Theo had come to stay with the Bardours after losing his mother, they had no way of understanding his situation. He was a poor orphan and they were a rich family. They treated Theo as an outsider because they couldn't, and also probably didn't want to, connect with him. It wasn't until Mrs. Bardour lost both her husband, son, and a large amount of their money that she was able to truly understand Theo's pain. After many years of disregarding Theo, Mrs. Bardour realized how much he had done for their family, particularly Andy. Theo had protected Andy throughout their childhood, and after losing Andy, Mrs. Bardour took Theo into her household as a son.
I think that the quote on page 462 shows that Theo really thought that Pippa was the only whole thing left in his life. By saying that Pippa was the only unbruised part of his life, he is implying that he everything in his life is damaged. In Theo’s eyes, Pippa is unbruised because she is still in his life, unlike his mother. Theo obsesses over Pippa because he feels this connection with her. His whole life shattered and she was right there experiencing it with him. Pippa was the only person who could fill Theo’s new void for love when the bombing incident first happened because she could actually relate to the catastrophe.
Lucuis Reeves is an all-around shady character, and he seems to come in and mess with Theo's life just as Theo is finally beginning to feel in control of things. Lucuis's name is very appropriate for him; it bears resemblance to what some consider the name of the devil, Lucifer. The devil, in his scheming manner, is notorious for leading unsuspecting people to a life of sin and then later turning their sins against them. In a way, Lucius acts quite similarly. Theo, at this point, has performed two major illegal actions without any real (or at least, not destructive) intent to do so. He stole the painting to satisfy the wishes of a dying man, and he sold wood pieces to misinformed buyers in order to help Hobie's financial situation. Now, however, Lucius is twisting the matters. He insinuates to Theo his belief of Hobie's involvement in both crimes and expresses his intent to expose both Theo and Hobie unless Theo hands over the painting. Theo meant absolutely no harm to Hobie while committing either crime, but now Lucius has distorted the situation so that the bad deeds, which Hobie didn't even know about, may now cause as much damage to Hobie as to Theo. Lucius's far-from-kind actions and the calm, almost gleeful, manner in which he does them assimilates him very much to the devil; his name serves as a reflection of this correlation.
What's ironic about Andy's death is that he died at sea where he swore he won't go back to as soon as he has the chance. Here he was of age and living in Boston yet he still went back out to sea. It's also ironic that Andy died because he didn't buckle one of the straps and Andy was the one who usually followed the rules. Mr. Barbour's death is especially ironic because he died of drowning and that's ironic since he thought of himself as a son of Poseidon, God of the Sea.
I think that Theo got into the sketchy business because after his mom's death he was surrounded by a lot of sketchy business/behavior. For example, his father, Mr. Silver, Boris, and Grisha. Also with Hobie's shop about to go bankrupt he thought why not, especially since he was surrounded by so many things he could sell for a profit. In addition to that Theo finally has a chance to not to have problems with money like he and his family has had in the past and to instead have cash to spare.
Theo trusts Platt to help deceive Lucius because of the fact that he will get paid for his help. Platt's past and present behavior makes me confident that he will follow through for Theo and that's because he's willing to sell Theo furniture that's been in his mother's family for generation without her knowing all for a profit. The significance of the name Lucius is that it means light or illumination and that makes me think that Lucius is going to bring Theo's theft of The Goldfinch to light.
Mrs. Baurbor is excited to see Theo because Theo reminds her of her own son. I think that she always cared about Theo more than she lead to believe. Theo did live with them for a little bit and she may not of said she cared for him, but she still took care of him and let him live there. So when she see Theo she is instantly reminded of her own son, Andy, seeing as how he and Theo were so much alike. They were good friends and thats another reason Mrs.Baurbor cared for Theo. The ironic thing about Andys death is that he died on a boat... he hated sailing ever since he was a child. He didnt want to go out on that boat that day and only did it to be polite, and that was the thing that killed him.
The quote on page 462 exemplifies Theo's obsession with Pippa, because he thinks of her as the little girl he once saw in the Met, the day of the bombing when his mother was killed. "...the missing kingdom..." suggests that Theo wants to believe in her, that she is perfect, and that he wishes he could return to the time right before the bombing when he saw Pippa and her grandfater, when his beloved mother rattling off facts and opinions on The Anatomy Lesson. As a result of the timing of their first meeting and the innocent curiosity Theo has in strangers, his obsession with her has evolved.
Andy's death is ironic in the sense that he despised the ocean, the sailing, and practically everything about it. In fact, sailing made him so ill and nauseated. It is truly tragic that he had to die in the worst of circumstances for him. It is also funny in a sense that the genius studying Astrophysics at MIT died from some so primitive and natural. Yet Andy was so intelligent and grasped many difficult concepts but not the concept to live. Also, at some point in the novel, Theo makes a comment about Andy being 'genetically inferior' which showed his weakness. However, Mr. Barbour's death is ironic in the sense that he viewed the sea as a way of freedom and liberation, and in a sick way, it did liberate him from his Bipolar Disorder by him drowning. Fortunately, in his case, he died doing what he loved the most.
Mrs. Barbour is excited to see Theo because she is reminded of Andy and times when her family were still all alive. She used to be more reserved around him when her world was under control and the weight of Andy's and Mr. Barbour's death didn't take its toll. Mrs. Barbour also most likely felt guilty about letting Theo leave with his corrupt father. Although she could have done nothing about it, the guilt still must have affected her. Seeing him alive and well with the remembrance of Andy are all factors in why she was so happy to see him. She thinks of him as a long lost son whom she misses.
Mrs.Barbour is so excited to see Theo because its the closest thing to having her son back. When Theo came to live with them after his mothers death he basically became one of the Barbours. At one point they were even going to adopt him. He was also a lot like Andy so when he came to visit it was like Andy coming back. I think she is so different now because of their deaths. The family sent Andy there to take care of Mr. Barbour, even though And didnt want to so now I think Mrs. Barbour feels responsible for Andy's death.
Andy and Mr. Barbour's death hit Theo so hard for the same reason a lot of people have already said; they meant something to Theo when he was younger, and now they just symbolize another piece of his childhood being lost. He may not have thought of the Barbours much after he left, but I think he felt like they were a constant. He thought they'd always be around, even if Theo wasn't actively in a relationship with any of them.
Both Andy & Mr. Barbour's deaths are tragic. I feel for Theo and that he is losing people he cared about.. his mom, andy, Mr. Barbour..etc. But I believe these deaths came as a complete shock to him compared to that of his mothers. Theo had stronger suspicions that his mother wasn't coming home, but didn't want to give up hope she was.In this case Theo hadn't even thought about the people in his life, so he always imagined he could pick up the phone and meet them again. It is definitely hard losing people we care about in any instance.
I agree with Shelby. Andy and Mr. Barbour were both a part of Theo, they made him who he was. The people that you spend time with and grow up with shape you into the person you become. In this way, they both meant a lot to Theo. It only makes sense that Theo would be devastated by their deaths. It also doesn't help that Theo has been made to deal with constant loss and mourning.
I think that Theo practices sketchy business practices partially because of his desire to succeed. He was in dire need to make money for himself and for Hobie. Hobie's business was struggling and needed Theo's help. Also, he may practice such ways because of his father. Theo doesn't like to be like his father, but the practices are similar in manner. Unintentionally, he mirrors the ways of his father. This comes in handy in this case.
When Mrs. Barbour saw Theo, it is perfectly justifiable that she got very excited. Mrs. Barbour had lost Andy and Andy's father, seeing Theo reminded her of the same innocence. She could have seen Andy in Theo, and seeing the same youthfulness must have just made her day. It also helps seeing an old friend after a long period of time away. Seeing anyone after such a hiatus would be exciting.
I think that Mrs. Barbour is so excited to see Theo because he reminded her of her son, Andy. I think the fact that Andy and Theo were so close as kids, also reminds her of her son in a way since they grew up together. Also, I think that Mrs. Barbour thinks of highly of Theo because of the role that he played in her sons life. Furthermore, Mrs. Barbour has every right to be excited to see Theo. I feel that she had always cared for Theo, she just didn't express it because she had no way to say it.
Andy's death and his fathers death are both extremely ironic. Andy died out at sea, which is ironic due to the fact that he despised anything to do with the sea, or the ocean. It is sad that Andy died doing something that he hated. However, his father died doing something that he loved to do. It made him feel free and released him from the troubles of the world.
The quote on p. 462 regarding Pippa seems to insinuate that Pippa as a person is much less important to Theo than Pippa as an idea. Theo doesn't truly have much of a natural connection with Pippa as much as a situational connection, where the circumstances of their meeting is much more important than how alike they are as people. She came into his life at a very important moment, and she was the last thing that he saw before the explosion in the art museum. She is quite literally the last moment of his old life and the only part that seems to stand the test of time. She isn't a person that he shares a connection with, she is so much more important to him as a moment in time. For this reason, she receives the same unhealthy attention that he gives to his past.
I believe that Mrs. Barbour is so excited to see Theo becasue he is the closest thing to Andy. I agree with Abigail when she says that Mrs. Barbour was reserved in the past because she is in the higher rank of society and she looked down on him. I think that the family did care for Theo but they didn't show it then. After the deaths, I think Mrs. Barbour opened up to Theo more because the deaths changed her and she was more open to different outlooks. She has found new respect for everything in her life and she is embracing it.
The quote under section IV, "It is not flesh and blood, but heart which makes us fathers and sons", pertains to the story more than ever at this point. Theo has struggled all of his life not having a true father figure to guide him through life. His biological father, Larry, was an alcoholic that left Theo and his mother for Las Vegas and his new girlfriend Xandra to feed his gambling obsessions. While Theo does not see this as a total loss, as now his mother and him are free to live a life without the awkward constraints his father imposed, he is still left to be raised by a single mother. That all changes the day his mother is killed in a bombing at an art museum. He is left to live with a childhood friend's family, the Barbours. Unfortunately, Mr. Barbour is hardly any better of a fatherly figure than Theo has had in the past. His lack of interest in not only Theo, but his own children is offsetting to begin with. We then learn that Mr.Barbour struggles with severe emotional and psychological issues. With never truly having a stable male to serve as his father, Theo turns to Hobie in his greatest time of need. Hobie exemplifies everything that a father should be in my eyes. He welcomes Theo with no questions asked, and tends him back to his normal health. He takes interest in what is going on in Theo's life; for instance, feeling proud when Theo is accepted into the early college program. Later in Theo's life, Hobie accepts even his greatest faults in life, like his scheming ways in the shop. The list of what Hobie does for Theo is practically endless, but the sacrifices he made to take care of Theo is what truly makes him the only father Theo ever had.
I agree with the above statements about Mrs. Barbour's excitement towards Theo. he was like a brother to Andy and I feel as though she can see a little piece of Andy in Theo. right now Theo is the closest thing she has to a son and I feel like she holds on to that for dear life. Earlier in the story she showed less emotion towards him, but now that her son is gone, I believe that she lets go of her high life, and just really opens up to her feelings towards Theo.
Hobie takes Theo’s confession calmly because he is a father figure to Theo. He loves Theo like a son but also knows that Theo was not the only one at fault. Hobie had ignored the warnings of his friends about Theo and give Theo a job that was meant for an experienced adult. IHobie had not given a disturbed young person too much responsibility. As a result Hobie put Theo in a position he didn’t have the skills to deal with. Hobie knew his mistake so was calm for the one reason was that he too was at fault.
It was apparent that Mrs. Barbour was very excited to see Theo. After losing both Andy and Mr. Barbour, Theo was the closest she would get to them. Previously, Mrs. Barbour looked down on Theo in a way but after tragedy hit she realized that Theo held qualities of Andy and didn't want to loose him completely.
I agree with both Shelby and Brenden concerning the deaths of Andy and Mr. Barbour. To Theo they were a part of him and when they died it felt like part of his own body was missing. You would feel the same way if you were to lose someone that makes you feel whole.
Both Andy's and his dad's death were ironic but for different reasons. Andy hating everything about sailing and the water for his whole life made it unfortunate that he died doing something he despised. On the other hand, Andy's dad found sailing peaceful and liberating which made his death more honorable.
Theo's obsession with Pippa starts with the explosion. He gained a friend after loosing his mother. Therefore, "She was the missing kingdom, the unbruised part of myself I'd lost with my mother" makes it seem like Theo sees his mother in Pippa; much like how Mrs. Barbour saw Andy in Theo.
Mrs. Barbour is so excited to see Theo for many reasons. First off she hasn't seen Theo since he lived with them after his mother died years ago. It is always a surprise to see someone that you haven't talked to in ages! Also, because she lost not only her husband, but also her son and those are two huge tragedies. Mrs. Barbour realized that she took Theo's presence for granted many years ago. I think it is also nice to see Theo because he is someone who can relate to her pain. Theo knew Andy and Mr. Barbour very well and he not only lost them but both of his parents. If anyone can relate to how Mrs. Barbour is feeling it would have to be Theo. She likes being able to talk about the better times with Theo when they all lived together as a happy family and about past memories that they all had. He was also one of Andy's closest friends which means a lot to Mrs. Barbour.
When Theo confesses that he has been scamming people of their money, Hobie reacts in a very calm manner. Hobie does this for a couple reasons. Even though what Theo did is terribly wrong, he did do the right thing and actually tell Hobie and take full responsibility which is the grown up thing to do. I think that impressed Hobie in a way. Also, I think Hobie realizes that Theo is a grown adult and is human, and everyone makes mistakes. Instead of yell at him and ground him or something of that sort, Hobie treats Theo like the adult he is and talks to him in a calm and mannerly fashion about the terrible thing that he has done. Personally, if I was Hobie, I would probably of handled the situation much worse like most people would of. He has a right to be more angry than he showed, but he is being the bigger person and forgiving Theo for what he has done.
Theo conducted buisness in the sketchy way he did because Hobbie was so far into debt ever since Welty died, and was getting letters from the IRS. Theo probably wanted to help save Hobbie's buisness to repay him for all he has done for Theo. When Theo tells Hobbie what he's done, he replies in a very calm way. I think he's not more angry because he blames himself for digging the buisness that far in to debt and giving Theo no other option. Also, Hobbie doesn't seem like the type of person to scream and argure. Mrs. Barbour's personality has changed after the death of her husband and son. She is much more of a recluse and very laidback now. Theo reminds her of her son Andy, because he was Andy's only true friend, and that's why she is so happy to see him.
I think that Theo trusts Platt so much because he knows that Platt is not in a good position in his life and has very little to lose. However the one thing that is good that has happened to him recently is Theo coming back. Theo has helped Platt's mother feel better for the first time since Andy and Mr. Barbour's death, and also seems to be drawing Kitsey a little bit away from Tom Cable, whom Platt thinks is a terrible guy for Kitsey. The few good things in Platt's life at this point have mostly been caused by Theo and he would certainly do anything to help Theo, particularly something as small as saying that he owned a piece of furniture to keep Lucius off of his back.
Mrs. Barbour was so excited to see Theo because he is the closest thing she has to Andy. Theo was Andy's only friend growing up, and she has always been grateful for Theo in that aspect. Mrs. Barbour was always so reserved in the past because that was just her personality towards everyone. She tried to appear rather emotionless, acting as if nothing ever surprised her. After her son and husband died, she was left feeling vulnerable and shocked. Mrs. Barbour also now can relate to Theo, considering they have both been through unimaginable tragedies. She never realized the pain Theo felt years ago, until now. No one understands loss better than Theo.
I believe Mrs. Barbour was so excited to see Theo as he is the closest thing to Andy she has left. When Andy was alive, Theo was the only one to truly relate to him, or even take interest in him for that matter. He understood that Andy's differences did not mean he wasn't a large part of the family, something Mrs. Barbour thought otherwise on previously. With not only losing Andy, but Mr. Barbour too, she is left in a state of depression. I think she feels that by having a strong relationship with Theo, she is repairing the relationship she had with Andy. Theo in a sense, is Andy to Mrs.Barbour. Theo knows he is thought of as a son, which is one reason I believe he so quickly agreed to marry Kitsey, an act that would only please Mrs. Barbour even more.
Andy and his father’s deaths are significant to Theo because it symbolizes everyone in by dropping like flies. Andy’s death is so ironic because he complained about being on the boat for years prior. Theo practices so he can stay with Hobie. Hobie takes Theo’s confession so calmly because he knows if Theo didn’t do what he did he would’ve do what he did, he would’ve lost his shop.
Hobie reacted so calmly to Theo's confession for a few reasons. One reason is that Hobie just really isn't the type of guy to overreact or get extremely angry. Another reason is that Hobie doesn't realize the extent of Theo's fraud. Theo told Hobie he only scammed around a dozen people, when in reality, it was triple that amount. With only a dozen people to contact and tell the truth, Hobie is under the impression that Theo will be able to sort everything out without going into complete debt again. Lastly, Hobie is so calm because he trusts Theo. Theo was the one who got the business going again after Welty's death, and they both hold each other to the highest regard. Hobie respects Theo and believes he can get everything sorted out without ruining his reputation.
Both the death of Andy and Mr. Barbour was tragic. You continue to feel bad for Theo as he loses people he cares about. The main difference between the death's of Andy and Mr. Barbour and his mother's is that with his mother he had suspicions she was dying. With Andy and Mr. Barbour it came as more of a shock. There was obviously still a shock factor when his mother died, he just was in a state where he was trying not to lose hope, but knew his mother would not be returning home.
Theo practices sketchy business negotiations I think for the money, Hobie, and the thrill of seeing people happy with him. I agree with Greg when he states that he never really had the money so they were never really well-off, so I think he likes to have the money to help Hobie, the family, and the family business. The store was also going to go under and Theo didn't want see Hobie in a sad and depressing state and he would lose something of dear love to him which was Hobie"s store and think if Theo lost that he would crumble under everything. Lastly I think since his father was a master haggler I feel like that was one thing that was passed down to Theo and he is actually very good at it. It's a very sketchy practice that he is performing, but I feel like he does it for Hobie and for the money and to keep the people in his life happy. I feel like darkness surrounds Theo's world and one of the few bright things that help make it not so dark is that he can see the people in his life happy.
I think section IV quote relates to Theo and Hobie. Theo and Hobie are like father and son. They aren't related by blood but they still seem like it. They both care for each other and make sure each other are alright. In addition, the way Hobie has taught Theo about restoration reminds me of a father teaching his son his craft. They have a very strong bond that is held together by the love from their hearts and not by their flesh and blood.
Both Andy and his father's death is very ironic. Andy's is ironic because he hated going out on the water. He never wanted to do it, but he would go anyway because his father was so in love with it. If it was up to Andy, he would have never went out in the water. Therefore, the thing he hated most would never have had the chance to kill him. His father's death is ironic for the opposite reason. His father loved the water and would have lived on it if he could. As the book said, the water was his life and also his death. Therefore, it's ironic because the thing that he loved most brought him to his death.
I think Mrs. Barbour is so excited to see Theo because of the death of her husband and son. Theo reminds Mrs. Barbour of her son. So with seeing Theo it brings back good memories of Andy. Also, I think she is less reserved now because she is in such a depressed state.
As ironic as both Andy and his fathers deaths are, I feel as if it's almost equally as eerie. The thought of having something you love to do and that is your escape from reality, and dying from it like his father did gives me goosebumps. Andys death, having died from doing something he hated is more of a sad tragedy than his fathers death. His fathers death is more honorable and almost uplifting because you know he was happy and free when he died. Both equally ironic, I think the bigger picture is that anyone can drop at any time, and in Theos life, it seems to be a repeating event.
The quote written for section IV relates to this chapter via Theo reconnecting with the Barbour's. He runs into Platt on the street, then goes back to greet Mrs. Barbour and reunites with Kitsey. Also he has to hear the unfortunate news of Andy and his father. So many things had happened within the Barbour family since Theo left, but he was treated more like family this time around than when he was younger. I think the two deaths softened Mrs. Barbour's heart and she probably saw a little bit of Andy in Theo's aura because they grew up together. With no alpha male in her household and only one son left, Mrs. Barbour made sure that Theo would be considered family. Theo continued to spend time with them and like the quote says, his flesh and bone doesn't make him family, but his heart does.
Pippa, to Theo, is the missing kingdom, the unbruised because she reminds him of his mother because she was there the day of the bombing. Seeing her Theo be comfortable because he thinks of his mother. She almost fills the the hole that was left there when his mother died.
The quote on page 462 suggests that Theo’s obsession roots further than Pippa herself, but more into the events that brought Pippa into his life. She was there the day his mother was killed and an obvious connection had been established between the two before the bombs. Both Theo and Pippa lost the person with them that day and when Theo found Pippa later and found out that she was alright, he was able to make the connection back to that day. Pippa was the last person Theo saw before his mother was killed, and probably connects the two as strong female figures in his life to create an obsession. I think that Mrs. Barbour is so excited to see Theo despite her reserved passed os because she had lost her son and husband, and sees Theo as a child of her own.
Before I say why I think Hobie isn't more angry, I just want to mention that I think Hobie and Hagrid from Harry Potter are weirdly similar and it's awesome. I think Hobie takes Theo's confession calmly is mainly because Theo was honest and up front with him. Yes his fraud had been going on for some time but he still confessed. Hobie isn't the kind of man to be quick to anger, he stays steady and remains patient. I think Hobie understands why Theo did what he did and sympathizes with him. Theo is like a son to Hobie therefore I think Hobie was all around ore disappointed about his failed reputation than angry with Theo and his mistakes. At the same time, in the moment of Theo confessing to Hobie I don't think he realized how far his fraudulent offenses had gone thus far. Overall, Hobie is a fether figure to Theo and chose to keep his anger under wraps.
Mrs. Barbour is so excited to see Theo even she was very reserved in the past because she sees Theo as her son. Mrs. Barbour must have always felt that Theo was part of the family and now that time has passed she’s able to display how she feels about Theo to him. I believe Theo practices sketchy business because he sees it as a way to make money and he isn’t questioned if the price is high or not. He is able to fool curators among other people who may or may not have knowledge of the antique. However, in the end he has a good heart and he will try to right all the wrongs he did to people.
I agree with many of the comments above. I think Mrs. Barbour is excited to see Theo because he reminds her of the good times when her husband and Andy were around. Although she was reserved in the past I think the death of Andy and her husband gave her a reality check on her own life. It is tragic to lose someone you love and now she realizes that. She does not have to have fancy parties to impress people, or always look like a high society wife every day. She is able to appreciate people more even if they are not rich and fancy because she knows that at any given time someone could lose a loved one just like she did. Mrs. Barbour made it seem like she did not really care for Theo. When he left for Vegas she did not seem sad at all. When Theo went back to visit her, we figured out that she really did care about Theo. She did not show it when he stayed with them because she was high class and Theo was low class so she did not want to be embarrassed in front of her other high society friends.
Andy and his father’s death hit Theo hard because they were basically family to him. In the period of time Theo stayed with the Barbour’s he became close and was basically a part of their family. Although Theo made it seem like he hated it there, he actually liked it because it took his mind off the tragic death of his mother. He was also able to focus on school, and not what was going to happen to him the next day. Theo lost so much in his life before he found out about the death of Andy and his father. It shocks him when Platt tells him about what happened because what more could possibly go wrong in his life? He already lost his mother and father, and now he has lost a good friend and someone who had acted as a fatherly figure to him. At this point I think it is hard for Theo to actually believe that he could lose any more people in his life that actually cared about him. Overall I think it hits Theo hard because he has lost two more of the people he was once very close with.
The quote on page 462 by Theo shows really how in love he is in with this girl. “She was the missing kingdom, the unbruised part of myself I’d lost with my mother.” He views Pippa as someone who completes him. He hasn’t felt complete ever since his mother died and saying that Pippa completes him really cements how he feels about this girl. She was the girl he last saw when his mother was killed in the museum explosion. She’s the bridge between the old life that Theo once knew and had, to this whole new life which he is struggling emotionally to deal with.
I agree with Amelia, that Mrs. Barbour (and Mr. Barbour) likely did care more for Theo than they led on before, but they were just awkward regarding Theo's situation. They didn't want to prod him about his feelings or anything. I also agree with her in saying that Theo is the closest thing Mrs. Barbour has to Andy now, because they were about the same age and they grew up together. Maybe Mrs. Barbour felt it was easier to connect with Theo after her husband and son died.
Given the background of Theo's dad's sketchy self, it's really not very surprising that Theo started an illegal business. I think the thought of making more money would've crossed anyone's mind if they were in Theo's shoes. He just happened to take it, like those clichés about the apple doesn't fall far from the tree and like father like son, it comes back to his father. Theo grew up in a household where his father gambled and I doubt Theo thought he would ever get caught, and he wouldn't have if it wasn't for Reeves. The opportunity of making a poor living or making a fantastic living, I think anyone would've chose the lather if they knew they wouldn't be discovered. Which means that I agree with the other comments dealing with the idea of more money, but I think there's more concerning how he was raised. Dad did most of his business secretly and Theo followed in his footsteps.
What was ironic about Andy and his fathers death was that it was on the water and a boat. Andy despised sailing and how he would get sea sick and his father loved it. He said he would die doing it and that's what happened. Andy died doing what he hated and his father what he loved.I think Mrs.Barbour was so different when she saw Theo again because it was a child her sons age that brought back memories of Andy happy. Also I believe she truly cared about Theo more than she lead on. She took care of him and made him eat when he wouldn't, bought him warm clothes. Small things like that showed she truly cared. Theo was easier to connect with like Shelby said.
Mrs. Barbour is excited to see Theo this time around for a number of reasons. First off, she is much more alone than she was last time they met, and being alone after a horrific event like that is scary and unhealthy. Secondly, Theo's presence brings her comfort in the way that he reminds her of her son since they were around the same age and used to be somewhat friends. Lastly, Mrs. Barbour has someone in her life who can relate to her situation and help her through it. I never expected her and him to end up as such relating characters, but I'm glad they did. While Mrs. Barbour finds pieces of her son in Theo's personality, I think Theo can see his mother in her as well. After having his father's drug-addict girlfriend as a maternal figure, this is exactly what Theo needs; a maternal figure who understands what he is going through and is willing to help to the best of her ability.
What's so significant about Andy's and his father's death, especially to Theo, is that those that took care of him in a time of need died. Another reason why this would be so traumatic to Theo is that when he returned to New York he was going to see the Barbours but got scared upon seeing Mr. Barbour and hadn't contacted Andy in years before his death. I believe Mrs. Barbour is so excited to see Theo because she has grown lonely without her husband or son and Theo was so close to Andy that Theo also reminds her of the son that she lost.
The quote listed under section IV is, “It is not flesh and blood, but heart which makes us fathers and sons”. This quote fits into the story perfectly because Theo never had a father figure and the only thing his father ever was to him was flesh and blood, never heart. His father left him and his mother when he was younger and the only thing his father was, is a name that left. Which if I have to say, Larry was not ready for children and should have at least tried when Theo was born to be someone a kid can look up to. Even though that never happened, after Theo’s' mother's death, Theo and Larry were faced with another chance with each other when Larry took him from the Barbour’s to Vegas. Now many people could have possibly thought that there could have been another chance for them to become close, which I did. However, Larry did not change at all from when he left, and when Theo met Boris, Theo was the one who changed. Drugs, Alcohol, and stealing all became a part of his life and it became ironic that after he hated his father for those exact habits he liked Boris for them. After living with the Barbour’s following his mother’s death, then stuck with his father and Boris, the only real person he had to look towards when coming back from Vegas was the friend he met, Hobie. This is where the quote comes into play, because Hobie became a father-like figure to Theo and that is because of the heart that Hobie had shown him. His father, who he was flesh and blood to, never had the heart; and Hobie who was not flesh and blood to, had the heart. The only thing that Theo needed was the heart of a person who was willing to help him out of losing both of his parents and his developed bad habits he fell into. I love the quote because it is perfect for Theo; he grew to know who his real friends were, based on the heart of the character they had shown him.
Theo believes Platt will be able to deceive Lucius easily because Theo sees Platt as a bully still and someone that has a reputation for not doing very nice things. The significance of Lucius's name is that it is very similar to Lucifer or the Devil. Tartt is trying to say that Lucius is like the Devil to Theo in this section. I believe that Lucius is less confident that he is right as Theo continues to play dumb and rejected Lucius's large sum of money. The accusations are so ludicrous because Lucius is the first person to think and connect that Theo could have stolen the painting. Theo plays it off as a terrible disaster that happened and that Lucius was crazy for believeing that Theo stole the painting.
Mrs. Barbour is excited to see Theo because he was Andy's closest friend and in turn reminds her of Andy. I believe that in the past it broke her heart to have to give Andy to his dad to move out to Vegas, but she had to and she didn't want to seem more choked up to see her pseudo-son leave because it wasn't like her to do anything like that. When she sees Theo again the time that he spent at the house came back to her and memories of Andy being happy came back to her. I think in a way she also feels grateful to Theo because he brought happiness to Andy and was a friend to him when no one else was and stuck up for him.
Mrs. Barbour was so happy to see Theo because she sees Theo as her son. i feel that even though she was so reserved in the past she always thought of Theo as another son. Theo now is the closest thing she has to a son and the fact that she is in a more depressed state means that she will be even more excited to see Theo. finally i believe that she is so excited to see Theo because he knows the pain that she is going through and that could comfort her during this sad time.
the fact that Andy and his dad both died while sailing. Andy's dad loved sailing and he even said that he would die doing it2hich he ended up doing. Andy did not like sailing at all because he would get sea sick.the fact that Andy's dad died while doing something that was supposed to be his escape from everyday life is what made his death the most ironic.
I believe Theo first started to practice his sketchy business because his home was being threatened. Hobie almost drove himself into bankruptcy and if it wasn't for Theo he would have lost the shop and his house. Theo obviously couldn't let this happen because if it was he would have been taken and put in a foster home. I think he continues to practice it because he likes the feeling of being in control and being able to manipulate others. His whole life leading up to this he was always at the hands of someone trying to control him,his father and then child services, that he finally wants to be the one that finally has some say in something. Even if it's just the price of an antique he gets a high off being able to put ideas in someone's mind and always being in control of the deal, like selling a mismatch repaired antique for the same amount he'd sell an original. He feels the same way his father did when his fathered win a big bet.
I think the most obvious reasons for Theo's business practices is Hobie. He wants to keep Hobie's business running, so he sells people fake antiques. He fakes people out once they catch on to make them think they're real again, or he buys the antiques back and sells them again for more. He could just be doing it to outsmart people. Theo did say that Hobie wanted him to be his partner, but Theo said, "a partnership would shed a certain official light on unofficial goings-on in the shop..." I think that means that once Theo is made an official partner of Hobie's, if someone caught on to his practices, it would ruin both their reputations. It's possible that Theo just likes the thrill of outsmarting the people who buy from him.
Theo had lost several people from his childhood life, whether he moved away, or they had passed on. The significance of their deaths is that it brought Theo back to a dark place again, times he hadn't nearly forgotten, but wishes he could. The Barbour's home was safe for Theo. It was where he chose to go even after him and Andy had drifted apart, and it was still normal, considering the circumstances. It hits Theo hard because his friendship with Andy was the longest one he'd ever really had. Sure, he couldn't relate to Andy that well, but just thinking about the loss of another person from his childhood who was always there for him one way or another has to feel awful.
Mrs. Barbour seemed reserved in the past because she didn't know how to help Theo, because she didn't know what he was going through. She seemed to be in love with the idea of keeping her reputation upheld and not having too much time for giving sympathy and grief to Theo. She did care for Theo, but she also seemed very much in love with her rather luxurious lifestyle as well. After the deaths of her son and husband, it is safe to say that Mrs. Barbour is lost. Seeing Theo, she is given a reminder of her brightest son's childhood and someone who understands her sadness. In a way, she gives Theo more attention, but attention that will benefit her. I think when she took Theo into her home, she took him in as her son, but she didn't really show any gratitude or appreciation for him until she experienced what Theo had gone through when he first came to their home.
Pippa is the sole reminder of life before tragedy and pain. She was the one person that can remind him of a good happy healthy life. She makes him forget about his problems and makes him remember his mother. With a sad life like his it is one of the few things to make him happy.
I agree with a lot of what people are saying about Mrs. Barbour being happy to see Theo. He was a part of their lives for a while and he was life Andy's brother. She sees a piece of her son in Theo and he is a gateway to her dead son. If I were a mother I would cherish Theo. Before she was cold and less emotional, but now she shows her emotions because Andy is gone.
Andy and his father's deaths are ironic because Andy hated sailing, while his father loved it. His dad died pursuing his passion, which he treated as an escape from his bipolar tendencies. On the other hand, Andy died doing something he completely loathed. The only positive thing I can think of when it comes to his death is; At least he died by his father's side, and he wasn't alone.
After Theo confesses to Hobie, I was not surprised that he wasn't angry. Hobie and Theo have always had a strong bond, and Hobie is the most understanding and forgiving character in the entire novel, in my opinion. Theo cherished Hobie over any other person, and I think he knew that not even his situation was enough to make Hobie angry enough to end their friendship. Hobie is selfless and from what I have gathered throughout the novel thus far, couldn't care less about reputation.
I think Mrs. Barbour is excited to see Theo after all these years is becasue he was like one of her children. She always had a soft spot for him, and now with the passing of her husband and Andy she feels a sense of home and the old days when everyone was around for Sunday breakfast. She is pleased to see that he is okay after living with his father.
The death of Andy and Mr. Barbour really hits Theo hard. After his mothers death aside form Hobie, Andy and his family were the only ones there for him, Theos old school friends stopped talking to him but Andy was with him everyday and keep Theo on the right path. Without them, Theo goes down the wrong path in Vegas with Boris. Knowing that he cannot go talk to Andy now that hes back in New York Theo realizes he has no real friends to talk to.
Mrs. Barbour has always believed that Theo brought out in Andy, and by her actions after she sees Theo again shows that Andy isn't the only one who was enlightened by Theo's company. Theo was very close with Andy before his untimely death. He had endured bullies in unsavory circumstances, protecting Andy, and had been in honors classes with him before Theo was sent to live with his dad in Las Vegas. In a way, Theo was a link to the past. Mrs. Barbour sees a little bit of Andy through Theo, even if she is the only one. He also shares some of her appreciation for antiques, like none of her own children did. But Mrs. Barbour has always thought of Theo as one of her own, hence the reason she took him in so readily after Theo's mother's unfortunate death. Theo brought back good memories to Mrs. Barbour when he reunited with her.
The quote on page 462 about Pippa shows how much Theo's life truly changed after his mother's death. He views himself as pure and unbruised before the tragedy, and he believes his mother took a part of that with her, probably a part that makes him feel empty and lonely quite often. This quote implies that Theo believes that Pippa has been sent to be this innocent and pure piece of him, and that he needs her to be happy again. This explains his obsession with her throughout the book. Also, Mrs. Barbour is so enthused about seeing Theo after so long because she has gone through so many life-changing events throughout the past few years. The death of her husband and favorite son put things into perspective for her, and she now truly sees Theo as part of their family. These events also changed her willingness to be social, and lessened her cold demeanor, which shows how she did truly love her family, despite her past brusque and cold manner.
Theo trusts Platt to help deceive Lucius because he is getting paid to do so. Platt's behavior leads me to believe that he will follow through on his promise to Theo. The significance of the name Lucius is that it means illumination and that leads me to believe that Lucius is going to bring to light Theo's theft.
I agree with Sammy that Theo is obsessed with Pippa because she was there the day his mother died. Theo sees Pippa as his own mother after his mom passed away. Pippa brought Theo many wonderful memories and thoughts that nobody else could. Theo becomes jealous of anybody that tries to become a part of Pippa's life because he feels like they have a special connection that nobody else could understand or have themselves. Pippa was there when his mother died and she is the only one who really understands what he's going through.
After his dinner with Theo, Lucius walks away confidently because he believes he has exposed Theo and Hobie. Lucius thinks he has uncovered the fact that Hobie and Theo are in cahoots with a shady group of people that exploit and use the painting as payment for a large amount of drugs. The accusation is so ludicrous to Theo because he has the painting. He has been storing it in a storage locker for almost 10 years. Something else that makes the accusation seem ridiculous to Theo is the fact that Hobie has no idea Theo has the painting. Theo has not told a soul about him taking the painting because he is so afraid that someone will rat on him, and as a result, he will end up in prison for an obscene amount of time. The only thing is, as ludicrous and ridiculous as the accusations are, a random man had pieced the story of the bombing together and tied Theo to the painting and to Hobie by simply using common sense. Theo was the only survivor in the vicinity of the painting and the physical evidence of this was Welty giving him his ring.
There could not be a more fitting quote to put for this section of the book. "It is not flesh and blood, but heart which makes us fathers and sons." The quote under Section IV is a perfect description of Theo and the relationship he has with his father. Although he is related by flesh and blood, Theo's dad is anything but a father to Theo. He has no heart so therefore is not a true father to Theo. Despite their blood relation, he lies and takes advantage of Theo. He is a heartless coward, far from being a father.
Mrs. Barbour is excited to see Theo because she always thought of him as her second son. She was reserved with Theo in the past because she never really knew how to help him recover from what he was going through. She usually just made the situation more awkward and could never really help him. However, seeing him again makes her feel happy inside because she remembers how her son Andy and him use to be good friends. Mrs. Barbour also has had to deal with pain and grief since her son Andy and her husband died. So now she knows what Theo has been going through and is able to relate to him and open up more to him. Before, she always remained reserved because she never knew how to help him but now she can.
Andy's death is ironic due to the sheer disgust he held for sailing and the ocean in general. He never enjoyed sailing as a kid, and he only slightly embraced it to be polite to his father. The ocean made him nauseous, and he hated the tiring work on deck. He found the land to be more preferable in every way. This is why Andy's death while sailing was so ironic yet tragic. However, I found Mr.Barbour's death to be much more ironic. For him, the ocean was his calling. He had told Theo before that the ocean is what gives him his freedom. I believe it gave him vitality as well. Sailing was the one true thing that Mr. Barbour felt pure excitement over. So I found it extremely ironic, yet poetically fitting, that the thing that put life into his eyes would also take it away.
Theo practices the sketchy business practice that he does because at this point of his life, it is in his nature. I believe it started out as a way for him to help Hobie's business to stay afloat. He had to take desperate measures to make sure the business didn't completely go under. After he ensured the safety of the business, I believe it became another obsession for him. In Vegas, he had to lie and steal to live, and doing it for a living on a daily basis had to be like a rush for him. Another reason why he did it was simply to make sure that the business had no chance of going under. He loved living there with Hobie, and for the time being he couldn't see himself doing anything else. With this being said, he did what he had to do to make sure he could maintain the life he was currently living.
"Love at first sight" is a term often used yet rarely actually happens. In the case of Theo, though, it does. When he irst sees Pippa at the museum, he instantly falls in love. After the bombing, Theo's love for Pippa grows stronger. Pippa is one of very few people who can directly relate to the traumatizing experience of the bombing. Not only that, but after losing his mother in the bombing, Theo has nobody else to love in the world, least of all his father. Therefore, he clings onto the last bit of love he has left, and becomes obsessed with it, with Pippa. Theo doesn't have anybody else in the world to love, so he sees Pippa as the solution to fill his broken heart void of love.
Mrs. Barbour is happy to see Theo because it is a do-over for her. She has lost her son with whom she didn't have a close bond to and she was distant with Theo when he stayed with them. She sees Theo as a chance to connect with him and make up for not doing it when he was younger and for not connecting with Andy. She also wants to thank Theo for being one of Andy's only real friends, especially growing up. She feels like she owes him a lot and is trying to pay it back to him.
Hobie takes Theo's confession extremely well. He barely even get mad, which freaks Theo out. Hobie is not the type to become aggressive or angry and he handles this situation as well as possible. I think it's because he is partly disappointed at himself for being so ignorant and ignoring what he knew about Theo's unjust sales. He had to have wondered where all of the money was suddenly coming from but didn't really question it. He wants to move on and start fresh and not dwell on what can't be changed.
I think that Theo practices the sketchy business that he does for a couple reasons. First to keep Hobie's business alive. He sells Hobie's pieces as expensive and rare pieces when they actually are not. I also think he participates in such a scheme to provide money for his drug habits.
Theo gets involved in the sketchy business that he does because he has been exposed to it by people. For example, his father got involved in the same business that Theo is in. Also, he wanted to help Hobie's business not go under the ground in debt. After he helped Hobie out it became his passion to do over and over again. Money was an issue for Theo in Vegas, but now with how he was stealing and lying to people he was able to have extra money rather than barely being able to survive. The business that Theo became involved in was too easy for him to let go. He now was able to live a life without any money worries where before money was always an issue.
Theo's obsession with Pippa is the last part of his normal life right before the tragedy of his mother dying. He had already fallen in love with her before the tragedy happened creating a permanent connection between him and Pippa. Pippa also brings only positive thoughts to Theo so whenever he thinks of her, he is able to block out all of the negative in his life. He also needed somebody to love after his mother died. That person was never going to be his father since he never cared for his son and was too busy worrying about his financial issues. The person who Theo was going to love forever was always Pippa. Pippa is the answer to Theo's broken heart.
To theo Pippa is the missing piece of himself that his mother took with her when she died. I wouldn't call it an obsession rather then a fantasy he created to cope with his moms death. With her he can be care free and not have a worry in the world. The way its explained is from theos point of view so its assumed that he is obsessed with her. She means a lot to him and if he lost her it would be like losing his mother again.
Theo's obsession with Pippa stem's from the day he saw her. The time and place is very crucial because she was one of the last faces he saw before the explosion, before he lost his mother, before he lost his old life. The obsession had began before the explosion took place and only deepened after. After losing his mother, Theo didn't really have a connection with anyone, he didn't have anyone to love, Pippa became a rock for Theo, he found someone to love.
Andy’s death was quite ironic. Andy loathed sailing though he died while doing it. On top of that, Andy was not even supposed to be on the boat but he was doing his sister a favor by sailing with their dad. Lastly, it’s quit crazy to think that Andy was killed by something that he resented, and his father was killed by the same something but that of which he loved.
I think that Andy and his father’s death hit Theo so hard because Theo never saw it coming and didn’t expect it to happen at all. Theo thought of Andy often over the years but never got back in touch after returning to New York. He said that he felt sure that he’d run into him at some point. It also hit him hard because they took Theo in when Theo had no one else.
Andy and Mr. Barbour's death is extremely ironic. For Andy, he died in his most hated place, he despised the water and sailing. He always felt more comfortable on land, and only went sailing to please his father. For Mr.Barbour, he praised sailing, he couldn't get enough of it, it gave him a youthful feeling, like he was young again. Mr. Barbour's death is more ironic then Andy's, for someone who loved sailing and the ocean so much, its ironic that the very thing that made him feel youthful, ended up killing him.
Mrs Barbour is excited to see Theo because he meant a lot to her and thought of her as a son. After losing her husband and son it was probably a relief to see someone that she loves almost as much as she loved them. She was always reserved in the past, but I think that changed because she was trying to get over her loss and needed to open up to someone she knew and trusted.
Mrs. Barbour is happy to see Theo because he reminds her of Andy and the past. It takes her back to happier times. I think Mrs. Barbour has had time to reflect since Andy and her husband's death, which is why she's more open with Theo when she see's him again. She has a different outlook on life and the people in it, she's no longer cold and unwelcoming, but rather warm and inviting.
I believe that Hobie shouldn't be angry at Theo when he confesses about what he did to obtain the money to help Hobie's business. I think Hobie should've known that there was something fishy going on when Theo started to obtain loads of money. However, Hobie didn't really show interest in Theo's possession of the money just that he was helping him keeping his business. Hobie should blame himself more for what Theo did rather than Theo. Hobie thinks more of it of being his fault because he couldn't keep his business by himself but had to rely on another person to help him. Hobie is more ashamed in himself than he is in Theo.
I think that Mrs. Barbour is so excited to see Theo because she reminds him of times past. She reminds him of when she had her whole family, and her life, under control. Back when Theo was living with the Barbours, she had everything she could ever want. She had a full family, social status, and luxurious bank account. When Theo showed up in her apartment, she was moved back into the past before the deaths of her husband and son.
Theo's obsession with Pippa shows that he feels complete with her. The part of his life he thought he lost when his mother died. He lost everything but with her he feels like he has everything he once had. A close friend, someone to listen, and a person who can understand what he is going through. Now with Lucius Reeves he had to doubt himself, he didn't call the cops and he didn't push any further with the situation.
I think that the quote under section IV fits in with the story because it seems to describe two of Theo's relationships perfectly. On one hand, it describes his actual father. Even though they were flesh and blood, Theo never felt any real fatherly bond with him, only superficial feelings. On the other hand, it also accurately describes Theo and Hobie's relationship. Although they are not related in any way, they have always seemed to have that special connection. Hobie has cared for Theo as long as they have know each other. Even when Theo showed up on Hobie's doorstep after not communicating for years, Hobie took him in, without hesitation, and treated him as a son.
Theo practices sketchy business because he's able to make money off of it. It was easy for him to do this because he grew up with it. His father and Hobie were both in the business, so it probably didn't seem like such a bad thing to get into. It was really easy and he earned a lot of money from it. He also knew that Hobie needed his help with the business so he did it for him. Nobody questions him even if they are smart, or have zero knowledge on the antiques.
The first time that Theo saw Pippa was the last time that he saw his mother. In some way, that connects them in his brain. Whenever he is able to see Pippa, it reminds him of his last moments with his mother, so it is some sort of strange comfort. All of these connections helps Theo's obsession with Pippa (and how he fell for her so hard, and so fast) helps to make a bit more sense. His love for Pippa seems to be linked to his love for his mother. Whenever he is thinking about Pippa, he is (at least) subconsciously thinking of his mother as well.
On page 462 Theo talks about how Pippa completes him. I think he is so attached to her because they became friends after his mother's death. Theo sees his mother in Pippa, which is probably comforting for him and makes things feel less bad for him. He is very obsessive of her and called her his missing kingdom. She is someone who genuinely understands what he is going through and is willing to listen to him and be there for him when he needs her to be.
Andy's and Mr. Barbour's death were both very ironic. I thought it was ironic that Andy's death was of him doing something he hated. Andy was not a fan of the water and he was sailing. But Mr. Barbour he was ill and for a long time his sickness got the best of him. Going in and out of the hospital twice and making poor decisions. Mr. Barbour went over board. So Andy trying to help with the one thing he hate the water. in trying to do so a wave came and knocked them off into the cold water.
Theo practices shady business because that is what he grew up with. Theo's father was a shady business man and Theo learned a few business tricks from him. It also helped that Theo made a good sum of money by doing this. Theo also does this because he knows that he will need the money someday and it helped when Hobie needed help with his business.
On page 426 it is revealed that Theo has connected Pippa to his mother since he first saw her when during his last time with his mother. Pippa helps Theo mend the hole that was left by his mother which is probably why he is so obsessed with her because he was so close to his mother
I believe that Mrs. Barbour is excited to see Theo mostly because it brings her back to a happier time in her life, when she was young and her husband and son Andy were alive. Since Theo and Andy were good friends when they were kids and Andy was over so often, when he came back it was like seeing one of the children coming home. On top of this Mrs. Barbour hasn’t had anyone to talk to about her antiques and artwork, when Theo showed up again she was able to share in the joys of appreciating artwork again. Theo gives Mrs. Barbour someone to recollect the past life of Andy with in a positive way much better that Kitsey or Platt.
P. 462 Theo's obsession with Pippa comes from her being there the day his mother dies. She was the missing kingdom is that Pippa is someone who he can connect to and is obsessed with her because she was with him from the start of the terrible tragedy. When he says, "the unbruised part I'd lost with my mother" is that if she was also gone he would have no one that could understand what he is going through. That without her he would be missing and broken even more.
I agree with people that say Hobie takes Theo's confession pretty calmly because that is just how he is. Hobie doesn't take anger. He is pretty laid back and knows Theo will fix what he has done. Because there is nothing Hobie can do about it. But also Theo doesn't tell him everything because he feels its best his doesn't know how many people he actually scammed. So in saying that Hobie doesn't know the extent of what Theo did and the amount of fraud he committed. Theo doesn't want him to go into debt.
Pippa is Theo’s constant reminder of what a good life is. She was the only person who could show him what a happy and healthy life was like. She could make him leave his problems behind, and remind him about how great his mother was. With a life full of hurt and disappointment, Pippa is good for Theo and can make him happy.
Theo has such an obsession with Pippa because of their first encounter. It was before the tragedies that occurred in his life, before the painting and his mother's death, and before the awful experiences he went through. Pippa reminds him of happiness, she was like the calm before the storm. Theo needed happiness desperately which causes Theo to think he needs Pippa in order to be happy. Even though it can never happen he still obsesses over her because of her impact that she's had on him to this day.
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