Full Measures

This section of the novel interrogates Ember’s internal conflict, externalizing her psychological turmoil through a pattern of impulsive action followed by retreat. Her assuming a parental role forces her to suppress her own grief, which then erupts in moments of intense physical activity. The passionate but halted encounters with Josh in Chapters 10 and 14 manifest her need for an emotional outlet. She seeks physical release from the weight of responsibility, a temporary obliteration of pain. Her subsequent withdrawal and rationalization of their incompatibility reveal a deep-seated fear of vulnerability. This vacillation between physical need and emotional barricading is central to her character arc. Her confession to April illuminates this dichotomy, as she admits that what her sister calls being perfect is actually her “treading water with every ounce of strength [she has] so [that she doesn’t] drown” (178). This statement reframes her competent management of the family crisis not as a strength, but as a survival mechanism that keeps her from fully confronting her inner turmoil, yet is depleting her emotional resources.

Josh’s characterization provides a narrative and thematic counterweight to the chaos of Ember’s life, subverting both the “bad boy” and the passive romantic hero archetypes. His persistent, patient pursuit challenges Ember’s preconceived notions about relationships, which have been shaped by Riley’s betrayal. His promise to be “whatever [she] need[s]” (80), which he reiterates several times, establishes him as a source of stability rather than uncertainty. His continued refusal to have penetrative sex with Ember is significant because it isn’t a rejection of her but an affirmation that he values their bond beyond her immediate, trauma-induced need for release. This action contrasts with Deacon’s aggressive advances and Riley’s past infidelity, positioning Josh as a protector of her emotional well-being and someone who cares for her on a deeper level. His declaration, “I didn’t get where I am in hockey or school by backing down, and I choose you” (154), directly challenges her self-perception as a broken partner. Josh’s steadfastness forces Ember to confront the possibility of a relationship built on mutual respect, pushing her toward the thematic dilemma of Weighing the Risk of Love Against the Fear of Loss.

The arrival of Justin’s personal effects from Afghanistan is a narrative catalyst, disrupting the family’s fragile progress and thematically reinforcing The Illusion of Control in a World of Uncertainty. The sterile, black military boxes bring the institutional source of their trauma directly into their home. The revelation that the Army wiped his laptop’s hard drive is a particularly brutal blow because it symbolizes a secondary, institutional death, erasing the intimate record of his thoughts and experiences. It underscores the family’s powerlessness against the system he served. However, the discovery of his final letters offers a counterpoint: a final, deliberate act of communication. However, Ember’s inability to open her letter signifies her resistance to this finality. She clings to the illusion that by not reading his last words, she can postpone the ultimate closure of their relationship, demonstrating her struggle to reconcile grief with the responsibility of moving forward.

Other actions and objects construct a nuanced emotional landscape that reflects the characters’ internal states. Grams’ sewing of the gold star onto the service flag is a ritualistic moment that marks an official transition from hope to mourning. Her deliberate stitches represent a mature acceptance of loss and a commitment to living and honoring those lost. She explains, “It is the business of the living to keep on doing so. We are no exception” (149), articulating a philosophy of resilience that Ember has yet to embrace. This act of sacrifice contrasts with the hockey rink, which continues to represent a space of normalcy, a structured environment where Gus can be a child and Josh can be a mentor. For Ember, however, the rink becomes a fraught space: When Riley shows up there, her past relationship with him, her present romance with Josh, and her family responsibilities collide, highlighting her inability to compartmentalize her life, as her new reality encroaches upon every aspect of her existence.

The narrative structure in these chapters builds tension around Josh’s character. The gossip at the hockey rink about his regular, unexplained disappearances is a deliberate narrative element that creates mystery and fuels Ember’s distrust of his player reputation. This detail foreshadows the revelation of his military service, which recontextualizes his character. Similarly, Josh’s intervention at the fraternity party to protect Ember from an aggressive male student and to protect April from a public scandal by confiscating the SD card demonstrates a maturity that transcends a simple romantic interest. His swift, decisive action and his subsequent lecture to the freshmen hint at a deeper code of conduct. These events, combined with his unwavering patience toward Ember, construct a portrait of a man with hidden depth and a mysterious history that connects him to the very world Ember is trying to escape.