Themes In Red Kayak

Everyone feels guilt, but the way they chose to deal with it can change their life. In the book, Red Kayak, by Priscilla Cummings, many characters are feeling some type of guilt after a three year old boy, named Ben, died. The guilt is displayed differently by each person. Some main characters dealing with guilt are Brady, Mrs. Diangelo, and Digger.

Mrs DiAngelo felt extremely guilty because she thought that if she had not taken Ben out in the bad weather, he would still be alive. She realized that if the weather was so bad, she shouldn’t have gone out on the kayak. The author states, “Why’d they go out there on such a bad day?” (Cummings, p. 40) Ben's death made her want to isolate herself from her family. In the story it states, “Sometimes, when there has been a death, it drives a family apart, instead of together.” (Cummings, p. 75) Mrs. DiAngelo is so overwhelmed with guilt and sadness she is taking a break from people. She also dealt with her guilt by making a butterfly garden. Mrs. DiAngelo wants to make one so she can feel better about Ben. “ ‘A butterfly garden.’ She repeated like it was a real enchanting idea.” (Cummings, p. 87) Mrs. DiAngelo
He felt guilty because he thought if he had gotten to Ben sooner he might still be alive. The story reads “I should have gotten there faster!” (Cummings, p. 50) Brady thought that if he tried a little harder he might have been able to save Ben. The author states, “Did I? Did I do everything I could?” (Cummings, p. 50) Brady questions his efforts and if they were full. Brady is dealing with his guilt by distracting himself. He decides to go help out Mrs. DiAngelo. The story reads, “I’m going to offer my help to the DiAngelos.” (Cummings, p. 75) He wants to help them so he can talk to Mrs. DiAngelo about his feelings and she can talk to him. Also helping do work such as mowing the lawn could get his mind off of Ben. J.T. also was feeling guilty for Ben’s death as