The Grace That Keeps This World by Tom Bailey revolves around a family from Lost Lake. Narrated by the Hazen’s and people that impact their life in some way, leads the readers up to the opening day of deer hunting season. Gary Hazen and his wife Susan are high school sweethearts that have raised their sons to appreciate the strenuous but noble way of living life. However, both sons eventually slip away as they struggle to find something more than their parents have set up for them. Through the use of the tracks that Gary sets up for his family to live by, Bailey develops the idea of the randomness of life versus the attempt to control it.
Gary, a respected woodsman believes in living an ordinary and traditional life. This careful way of living …show more content…
His oldest son Gary David mentions how it is to live with his father by saying, “For me living with Dad was nearly as simple as that or I’d made it simple, easy for myself. I was doing what I loved to do. His care made good sense to me. I could have said these things to my brother, an explanation in part with our father, which was easier than his in this way that I had to do his bidding and maybe harder in other ways he would never have to know about living up to his expectations of a firstborn (90).” The readers get the feeling that Gary David is his father’s clone and is controlled by him. For instance, Gary describes him by saying, “Gary David was less adamant about technique, but he was always around more like my shadow (117).” However, as the novel progresses it is evident that Gary David makes his own decisions for his …show more content…
Gary even mentions, that “You can’t be too careful (11).” Kevin wanting to go off to college and live his own life is an example of the randomness. These unexpected events can be seen as Kevin gets his girlfriend pregnant. Both Gary David and Kevin have secrets they keep from their father. Gary David was in a relationship with Officer Roy, which Gary would not approve of. In addition, Kevin can't seem to find the courage to tell his father the reason he doesn't want to go hunting anymore. Using his girlfriend Jeanie as an excuse he says, “I mean I’m not going hunting this year. I’ve made up my mind I’m not going to fill my tag. Jeanie doesn’t like it
Gary, a respected woodsman believes in living an ordinary and traditional life. This careful way of living …show more content…
His oldest son Gary David mentions how it is to live with his father by saying, “For me living with Dad was nearly as simple as that or I’d made it simple, easy for myself. I was doing what I loved to do. His care made good sense to me. I could have said these things to my brother, an explanation in part with our father, which was easier than his in this way that I had to do his bidding and maybe harder in other ways he would never have to know about living up to his expectations of a firstborn (90).” The readers get the feeling that Gary David is his father’s clone and is controlled by him. For instance, Gary describes him by saying, “Gary David was less adamant about technique, but he was always around more like my shadow (117).” However, as the novel progresses it is evident that Gary David makes his own decisions for his …show more content…
Gary even mentions, that “You can’t be too careful (11).” Kevin wanting to go off to college and live his own life is an example of the randomness. These unexpected events can be seen as Kevin gets his girlfriend pregnant. Both Gary David and Kevin have secrets they keep from their father. Gary David was in a relationship with Officer Roy, which Gary would not approve of. In addition, Kevin can't seem to find the courage to tell his father the reason he doesn't want to go hunting anymore. Using his girlfriend Jeanie as an excuse he says, “I mean I’m not going hunting this year. I’ve made up my mind I’m not going to fill my tag. Jeanie doesn’t like it