Brother

Content Warning: This section of the guide contains discussion of bullying, sexual violence, rape, child abuse, child sexual abuse, child death, animal cruelty, animal death, mental illness, addiction, graphic violence, sexual content, cursing, death, physical abuse, and emotional abuse.

“Once upon a time, he had convinced himself that chasing girls would get easier, that he’d get used to it and these moments wouldn’t affect him. He was waiting for autopilot […] But it had been years at this point. Autopilot had yet to come.”

The phrase “once upon a time” immediately links the story to fairytales and children’s literature, which becomes a central framework for Michael’s perspective. His inability to put himself on “autopilot” immediately introduces his ambivalence about his actions; amidst his brutal situation, he retains his feelings and conscientiousness.

“Whether he was Wade’s favorite or not, Michael belonged to Rebel. Nobody would so much as bat an eyelash at Reb’s decision regarding Michael’s future, or the lack thereof.”

The power dynamic between Michael and Rebel is extremely unbalanced with Rebel in full control of Michael’s fate through his manipulations. Wade has limited power as the story gives Momma the power, so the family represents matriarchy, not a patriarchy. This quote establishes both the feminist underpinnings of the narrative and the method of Reb’s control of Michael, which involves obscuring The Difference Between Loyalty and Complicity.

“That house filled his chest with secret optimism. Clumsy thoughts of his own future home and the leisure that would come with it filled his head […] There would be no more screaming. No hard whack of a leather strap.”

The house with green shutters—Bonnie’s house—represents Michael’s fantasy of a peaceful life. It makes Michael dream about a harmonious life, but ultimately it represents a reality that the Morrows denied Michael and, as the ending reveals, is forever beyond his grasp. Ironically, later the house is revealed to be the house that Michael grew up in before he was abducted.