Like her parents, Rowan’s character evolution is significant to the development of the novel. When Shreve introduces Rowan, she is portrayed as as a distant and rebellious daughter. Webster found himself thinking that it wasn’t so long ago that Rowan would hug him goodbye, or knew where she was at and with whom (166-167). Furthermore, when Webster confronts Rowan about her moodiness, Rowan replies, “Dad, just fuck off, OK?” (171). Finally, Rowan expresses her anger when she finds Webster reading a few entries from her personal diary (227). Her behavior affects Webster because Rowan demonstrates to gradually drifting way from her father. However, after her accident her character’s attitude changes. From the moment she finds out her mom wants
