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The Survivors


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Why do you think the baby, Audrey, was featured in so many scenes?

Created: 01/29/21

Replies: 16

Posted Jan. 29, 2021 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
PKH

Join Date: 01/29/21

Posts: 120

The baby, Audrey

Why do you think the baby, Audrey, was featured in so many scenes? Either being carried, pushed, fed, lying on the beach in her blanket. She seemed to be always there. I felt like maybe she was suppose to be a clue to something. And yet she wasn't in the end important to me.


Posted Jan. 30, 2021 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
elisabethc

Join Date: 07/16/19

Posts: 42

RE: The baby, Audrey

I felt like Audrey was there to emphasize Kieran's sense of vulnerability and his awareness of having things in his life he wanted to protect. She was a reminder that he had moved on since the storm, but that because of having created a new life he was still vulnerable to further loss.


Posted Feb. 01, 2021 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
susiej

Join Date: 10/15/14

Posts: 363

RE: Why do you think the baby, Audrey, was featured in so many scenes?

Audrey is an example of symbolism in this novel. She is symbollic of change, new growth and possibility for Kieran and his family. She represents changes he has made in his life since the storm and Finn's death, and she represents the positive future that lies ahead, not only for Kiernan, but for Mia and Audrey and Kiernan's parents, as well. Initially, Audrey is laying "milk-drunk" against Kiernan's chest. At three months old she "is growing heavy now." Both quotes, from the first pages of the novel, are dark and may represent Kiernan's outlook, as the novel begins, as much or more than they describe Audrey. On the last page of the novel, Kieran speaks positively to Mia, as he reaches out for her and Audrey, puts his arm around them both, "Let's go. Let's go up." So the reader sees the change that this new life has brought and how it symbolizes the positive future that lies ahead for all as "they make their way together, up to higher ground."


Posted Feb. 01, 2021 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
PKH

Join Date: 01/29/21

Posts: 120

RE: Why do you think the baby, Audrey, was featured in so many scenes?

Susiej, thanks for your comments. Very insightful.


Posted Feb. 01, 2021 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
Rebecca L.

Join Date: 02/08/16

Posts: 56

RE: Why do you think the baby, Audrey, was featured in so many scenes?

I think one of the other functions of Audrey in the novel was to help Kiernan connect with the feelings of others in the novel - Bronte's parents and Gabby's mother who lost their daughter and his parents and Sean's parents who lost a son. Imagining how distraught he would be if anything happened to Audrey, I think he's better able to understand the pain and trauma of parents in the novel who have lost their own children.


Posted Feb. 03, 2021 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
judithc

Join Date: 02/28/20

Posts: 31

RE: Why do you think the baby, Audrey, was featured in so many scenes?

I agree with the above comments. Audrey was definitely a symbol of Kieran’s new responsible life. He obviously loved her and wanted to protect her. Kieran could relate to Bronte’s parents pain by putting himself in their place.


Posted Feb. 03, 2021 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
linz

Join Date: 08/12/15

Posts: 167

RE: Why do you think the baby, Audrey, was featured in so many scenes?

The baby's treatment made me uncomfortable. Did anyone feel worried when he left her on the beach?? If Kieran knew how he'd feel losing her, why was he so careless? Given all that happened at the beach, I think Kieran was very irresponsible for leaving her alone. What if Abby's mom took her or she got swept out to sea, as everyone suspected Gabby was? It made me feel he was not so grown up after all.


Posted Feb. 04, 2021 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
robertaw

Join Date: 04/20/16

Posts: 83

RE: Why do you think the baby, Audrey, was featured in so many scenes?

I agree with linz. I was almost scared to read on when Kieran left Audrey on the beach. Thank goodness nothing bad happened, but I didn't trust his judgment after that. I wondered what Mia would have said/done had she known about it.


Posted Feb. 04, 2021 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
PKH

Join Date: 01/29/21

Posts: 120

RE: Why do you think the baby, Audrey, was featured in so many scenes?

I agree with linz and robertaw. His treatment of Audrey made me very nervous.


Posted Feb. 04, 2021 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
debrav

Join Date: 08/16/11

Posts: 30

RE: Why do you think the baby, Audrey, was featured in so many scenes?

I agree with Susie and also felt Audrey gave the book a little more tension for me— especially when Kieran would leave her on the beach. It showed us that he was still irresponsible


Posted Feb. 04, 2021 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
vivianh

Join Date: 11/14/11

Posts: 160

RE: Why do you think the baby, Audrey, was featured in so many scenes?

Grounding for Kieran. A reminder of the beauty of life & moving on.Acceptance that he had a greater purpose since he had responsibilities for Audrey.


Posted Feb. 04, 2021 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
cindyb

Join Date: 04/14/20

Posts: 110

RE: Why do you think the baby, Audrey, was featured in so many scenes?

I think Audrey helped Kieran stay rooted in the future despite being in his hometown dealing with the past.


Posted Feb. 05, 2021 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
Harley's Mom

Join Date: 02/21/19

Posts: 44

RE: Why do you think the baby, Audrey, was featured in so many scenes?

I think Audrey acts as a counterpoint to the feelings of loss that permeate the novel. There are the deaths of Finn, Toby, Gabby and Bronte as well as Brian's advanced dementia which is like the death of the person he used to be. Injecting Audrey in so many scenes reminds us that the circle of life continues--in the midst of death and grief there is life and hope for the future.


Posted Feb. 07, 2021 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
PiperUp

Join Date: 10/27/15

Posts: 146

RE: Why do you think the baby, Audrey, was featured in so many scenes?

I agree with SusieJ's comment 100%. Great insight!


Posted Feb. 08, 2021 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
judyw

Join Date: 06/13/11

Posts: 70

RE: Why do you think the baby, Audrey, was featured in so many scenes?

SusieJ wrote a very answer to this question. I agree.


Posted Feb. 24, 2021 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
slp54me

Join Date: 12/09/20

Posts: 4

RE: Why do you think the baby, Audrey, was featured in so many scenes?

I did not think he was careless with leaving Audrey on the beach. I think it spoke to how close the small town atmosphere was. He felt comfortable enough to leave her there sleeping for awhile because of trust (ok, maybe a bit misplaced) Of the folks he knew in the town.
Honestly, I would have loved to have felt that same trust and comfort in a place sometimes when my kids were little.


Posted Feb. 26, 2021 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
taking.mytime's Gravatar
taking.mytime

Join Date: 03/29/16

Posts: 364

RE: Why do you think the baby, Audrey, ...

Babies indicate growth and a new beginning. Stories soften around babies. It shows the characters are moving on, a change is taking place, the future is imminent, new beginnings.


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