Pictures Of Hollis Woods Analysis

Theme is a quality in a book that determines how well it flows. If a theme is presented throughout a book, it helps the book be more consistent and help tie it all together. In Pictures of Hollis Woods, belonging is the most important theme, and it is shown in many places throughout the book. When Hollis feels like she belongs, she shows the people around her a different, and much more real side of her personality. When she met the Reagans’, the first foster parents that she felt she belonged with, the Old Man had always talked about how she was such a good kid, while previous foster parents only looked down on her. Before she felt she belonged, she did not express positive feelings at all. She did not trust anyone, and was closed off when communicating with others. When she found the Reagans’ and felt the effect of belonging, it completely changed her attitude towards the people around her. She showed compassion for the Old Man, Izzy, and Steven, and with Josie later on. That was something she never did before she felt she belonged.

The first time Hollis received confirmation she belonged, was when she overheard Izzy and the Old Man
There are fourteen pictures in the book, which almost all reflected on a time she felt she belonged with the Regans. Almost every time, she feels as though she belongs with them, and regretted running away from them. The memories of belonging with the Reagans overpower any other memories. The whole book is about her trying to get where she belongs. She tries to get where she belongs and “camps out” at the Regans house. She still had memories of the Regans, even stronger, and she knew she needed the people she belonged with as well as the place she belongs. She is unconsciously drawn back to who and where she belongs. Eventually, she does get where she belongs, and Josie gets where she belongs, with Beatrice in her home. By the sea. The Atlantic