Clown in a Cornfield

The image of Frendo the Clown is a prominent symbol throughout the novel, representing Kettle Springs’ idealized past. The first time Frendo appears is at the end of Chapter 1 when Quinn sees the scorched mural of Frendo staring straight into her new bedroom. Without the context of Frendo’s role in Kettle Springs’ cultural history, this paints the image in a sinister tone, foreshadowing the threat that will soon loom over Quinn and her new friends.

At the Founder’s Day parade, Frendo’s image is so prominent that Cole quips that Frendo is the founder of Kettle Springs. This joke is based on the false narrative that Frendo was a historical person who helped uplift the spirits of the first residents of Kettle Springs during the Great Depression. Cole admits that the narrative was invented by his grandfather, who created the character of Frendo as a mascot for his corn syrup business, Baypen. Because Baypen became the driver of the town’s economy, the residents of Kettle Springs came to accept the false narrative around Frendo.

Frendo’s image is co-opted by both the youth of the town and its older residents.