Discussion Question 9

[Amy]

9. Describing the success of her recovery program, Kathy says, "I had already stopped wanting what I'd been craving off and on since I was fifteen, for Death to come take me the way the wind does a dried leaf out on its limb" [p. 46]. How does the novel affect your response to the social and psychological issues of addiction, depression, and suicide? Do you find yourself being understanding or judgmental of Kathy as the stress of the conflict increases? Is she actually more of a survivor than she thinks she is?

[Amy]

I definitely can see how depression has taken over Kathy's life. I feel like the added stress of addiction has compounded the effects of her depression and could have contributed to her suicidal tendencies. I think that even the stress of all of the letters from the county would have compounded this. As the conflict increases I can she how she would have felt trapped in this situation, like there was no way out. She was so excited to feel love again that she was blinded by it and allowed herself to get wrapped up in it. I think that many people who suffer from depression do the things she did. Neglect responsibilities, hope the bad stuff will just go away on it's own, think that "love" will fix things. Some of this behavior started when she was with Nick and followed the treatment plan that he wanted to follow instead of the one that was right for her. She may have been better off with AA meetings. It might have changed the course of her life. I think the question of whether or not she is a survivor is a tough one. I think she had it in her, I think we all have it in us.

[Amy]

I feel sorry for Kathy, but unfortunately, I feel like she was one of the most annoying characters in literature I have come across. Sometimes I just wanted to shake her!!! She should have opened the mail and realized what was about to happen, and when it did happen, she could have turned to her family for help, etc. etc. She definitely got involved with unhealthy men, which fuels the fires of depression and addiction. I don't see her as a survivor at all, I see her as a victim of herself.