Why in the world did Ian slap Kate!!??!

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Chapter 14 has stirred up quite a bit of fuss among my reading audience. The distaste over Ian's behavior in one particular scene has been voiced not only by my friends but also addressed in several reviews. And so... I've decided to take it upon myself to address what I have deemed,"The Slap Chapter."

First and foremost, I don't want anyone to think that I condone what Ian did. I don't. In fact, I don't condone any of the violence that takes place in the book. But from a creative and literary standpoint, certain things have to happen. The "slap" had to happen.

So. Why in the world did Ian slap Kate?

Here's a look from the author's perspective:

Let us first consider Ian's situation. He's a prisoner, dealing with less than adequate living conditions (and that's an understatement). He doesn't know how he got here or how long he's been here. He's scared and desperate, and even in those moments where he seems to be doing fine, readers can't forget that he isn't fine at all. Each time we leave that Pit with Kate, Ian stays put, lonely and full of despair, and more than likely longing for his mama. For us, as we travel through the novel--with only Kate's thoughts as our guide--it's easy to forget Ian from time to time. Out of sight, out of mind. But he's still there, and we have no idea what might be going on in his mind unless he vocalizes it to Kate.

Now, based on what I've just said, picture where Ian's emotions might be by the time the "slap" takes place. Three weeks have crawled past, as slow as molasses,(a little Breeder imagery for you there) and Kate has not returned as promised. In Ian's mind, which has already been tainted by a slow slide toward a claustrophobic kind of insanity, Kate has deserted him, and there is no hope. Because of this, he gives the phrase "pent-up anger" a brand new mascot.

So when Kate makes her appearance, all smiles as if only a day has passed since her last visit, Ian has already reached his breaking point. Due to this, he doesn't give her a chance to explain herself. In previous chapters, this side of Ian was foreshadowed, so his actions here are not so out of character. His moods shift so often from hope to frustration to despair--and everything in between--that Kate has no clue what she may find. Frankly, I think we should give Ian the benefit of the doubt. Of course, I know what's coming next... and you don't, so it's much easier for me to say that. :)

One conclusion I don't want readers to jump to is the idea that this is the beginning of a domestic violence situation. I can assure you, it isn't, and for the record, Ian is in no way justified for what he did. I've seen comments to the fact that Ian shouldn't have hit someone he cared about so much. The fact is, Ian shouldn't have hit anyone, period. But did he really care at this point in the novel? Although he and Kate have shared some moments and do development feelings for each other by the end, it's very hard to know how Ian feels about Kate by this chapter, so fixated he's been on gaining his freedom and getting home. Everything is filtered through Kate's mind. All we know is what she thinks and feels and what's in her heart. But she's confused as well by how Ian makes her feel versus what he says and does, and her confusion is only magnified when he finally reveals his true feelings for her.

And really, what I hope readers see, for the first half of the book anyway, is the friendship, albeit sometimes rocky, that develops between the two characters more than the romance.

Now, for the flip-side. Kate's reaction to the slap is much more significant than the slap itself. First, she's used to violence, even if, until recently, she's not been a target. And although it infuriates her, she isn't as surprised when Ian's hand springs out as she might have been otherwise. But the greatest insight I want readers to gain is that by the end of the chapter, she's managed to get the upper hand despite the slap, and her message is extremely clear: Ian's life is in her hands, and he'd better take a quick lesson.

The contrast is in the fact that Ian's violent, anger-filled desperation that causes him to strike out is heavily weighted against Kate's humility sprinkled with resolve. In that moment, she is angry, hurt, and slightly afraid, but she's also, resilient, compassionate and understanding of Ian's plight. She doesn't play the victim because she never has--even when she is most definitely the victim, mostly at Mona's hand. And let's not forget the rest of the chapter. The slap is miniscule compared to the forgiveness and mending that takes place in Kate and Ian's conversation afterward. And in this, we can see Kate's growth. Nothing breaks her. And the slap? It's never mentioned again by either one of them after the chapter ends. And it never happens again, either.

I haven't been able to decide whether I want readers to like Ian or not, but I suppose they will make up their own minds. Sometimes I don't like him myself, but most times, I love him. Because I know the real Ian underneath it all. The one I hope the rest of you will come to know and love even better by the end of the next book.