Lost and Found

“It was hard for Darcy to meet new people, especially someone like Tarah, a person Aunt Charlotte would call ‘low class.’”

Darcy’s internal conflict regarding social class and judgment comes from her own arrogant belief that she is better than others, but as her comment about Aunt Charlotte implies, these views are not necessarily her own. Her growth through the story is largely based around the theme of Questioning Preconceptions and Embracing Possibilities as she is forced to confront her preconceived notions. The phrase “low class” defines Darcy’s prejudice as based on socio-economic status and sets the stage for Darcy’s eventual realization that biases should not define relationships and do not reflect reality.

“Jamee was only in middle school. Those older guys scared Darcy—some were gangster wanna-be’s. One of them, Bobby Wallace, had already been in trouble with the police for something or other.”

This moment showcases Darcy’s growing concern for Jamee’s safety and helps illuminate the bonds of sisterhood. The phrase “gangster wanna-be’s” reflects the fear and stereotypes Darcy associates with Jamee’s new friends, which unfortunately turn out to be true. Mentioning Bobby’s past interactions with the police emphasizes the dangerous environment Jamee is becoming involved in. The contrast between Darcy’s desire to protect her sister and Jamee’s reckless behavior creates tension that lasts through the story.

“Daddy had found something else that meant more to him than his family. Darcy remembered it was about then that Jamee slowly began to change, to have angry, sad moods, to be cynical.”

Darcy considers the emotional impact of their father’s abandonment on Jamee. Despite it being five years ago, Jamee is still angry and hurt, demonstrating the theme of How Family Shapes Growth in Adolescence. The use of flashbacks and memory reveals the underlying cause of Jamee’s transformation as part of the memories motif. The idea that something else meant more to their father than his own partner and children suggests the profound sense of betrayal the sisters feel.

“Darcy could not believe she was sharing something so personal with Tarah. She had never shared family stuff with anyone—not even Brisana.”

This scene brings out Darcy’s vulnerability and the slow development of trust with Tarah, who becomes a valuable friend. Darcy’s reluctance to open up emphasizes her emotional isolation and the way she has always harbored all of her own pain. The contrast with Brisana, whose friendship with Darcy is more superficial, shows how significant this new connection with Tarah is. The act of sharing something personal indicates a shift in Darcy’s character as she begins questioning her preconceived notions of others.

“That’s why no one likes you, girl…You know too much.”

This quote reveals an outside perspective of Darcy’s character and the social dynamics at play in her life, through the eyes of Tarah. Her comment shows how Darcy’s intelligence and knowledge are a source of alienation because of her arrogance about it. The way that Tarah turns a positive trait into an insult reflects the jealousy and misunderstanding that Darcy faces from her peers, as well as her own feelings of superiority about it. It emphasizes her isolation and sets the stage for her growth, as she learns that it isn’t her intelligence that people find distasteful, but her attitude toward them.

“She snapped some pictures of the tidal pool and began to write observations in her notebook. She already saw starfish and more sea urchins along with a lot of kelp and algae. Some of the rubbery kelp was lying on the rocks in small patches of sand.”

Strong imagery is used to emphasize Darcy’s connection to nature as a form of escape and self-reflection. The description of sea creatures and natural elements creates a serene, peaceful scene that contrasts with the emotional turmoil Darcy is experiencing in every other aspect of her life. This tidal pool becomes a place for change and reflection for Darcy, as it is where she makes friends, talks to Hakeem, and learns how to challenge her preconceptions about others.

“Darcy looked around nervously. She wished the bus would hurry up and come. There was no one else on the street, and it was getting darker as the sun slid behind the horizon.”

The setting of the bus stop and the setting sun act as a mirror for Darcy’s anxiety and hurt after leaving the tidal pool. The darkening sky and the empty street create a sense of isolation and foreboding, causing tension to build. This imagery reflects the mood of uncertainty and discomfort that defines Darcy’s life as she struggles to redefine her family life and school life.

“What an awful day this had turned out to be! She had tried to make the best of Tarah as a project partner. She had tried to be nice to her and Cooper. Look what happened!”

This internal monologue reveals Darcy’s disappointment and frustration. She likes to be in control of her life, and as that sense of control quickly disappears, she starts to panic and become angry, much like Jamee. This scene showcases her vulnerability and desire for connection, and her frustration and defensiveness as her efforts don’t immediately pay off.

“I did blow it marrying your father. Maybe I was a bad wife, or he wouldn’t have left me like that.”

Here, Schraff briefly delves into the way that the family dynamic is affecting the adults involved: Darcy’s mother expresses the guilt and self-blame she feels for the way the family seems to have fallen apart. The self-deprecating language indicates Mom’s internal struggle and her own doubts about her past choices. Because Darcy, even though she is a teenager, is the one who has to comfort her own mother through this, the moment also demonstrates how family shapes growth in adolescence.

“I’m telling you, Darcy, you’re making a big mistake getting mixed up with those low-life people. I wouldn’t be surprised if that fat guy in the car is an uncle of Cooper’s, and he wants to sell drugs at the school or something.”

This line showcases the tension between Darcy and her friend Brisana as Darcy’s values shift and she starts to be more open to other friends, like Tarah. Brisana gives voice to all the worst judgments and prejudices that young people face from their peers. The characterization of the others as “low-life people” and the suspicion of criminal activity serve to emphasize the way that people stereotype each other in harmful ways. While Darcy begins questioning preconceptions, her friend Brisana does not, and her comments highlight how far Darcy has already come from her previous stance.

“‘Let bygones be bygones,’ Grandma always used to say. ‘Carrying grudges is like carrying an open flame in your pocket. It’s gonna burn you before it burns anybody else.’”

This proverb encapsulates Grandma’s wisdom and shows how her advice acts as a moral framework in Darcy’s life. The metaphor illustrates the destructive nature of holding onto anger and grudges, as is obvious through Jamee’s experiences. The imagery of the open flame communicates the danger that comes from unresolved anger, with the pointed reminder that it burns the one who feels it worst of all.

“So what? What are you gonna do about it? I fell down doing cheers, okay? That’s what I’m saying went down, and you don’t know any different, okay Just mind your own business!”

This defensive outburst from Jamee illustrates her emotional instability and her desire to protect herself from criticism. The moment shows how Jamee deals with her pain by using anger to push people away. Her resistance to the truth and her desire to shield her vulnerability create a barrier between her and her family, leading to tension throughout the story and the eventual climax in which Jamee runs away.

“Darcy watched the heavy man get out of the car again. He shuffled to the corner under a bright street light. Darcy remembered her father sprinting across a field after a baseball, as fast as a teenager. It couldn’t be him, she told herself.”

The contrast between the man before her and Darcy’s memory of her father’s youthful energy creates an intense moment of realization. The moment reveals how much Darcy’s perception of her father differs from the person he actually is. The juxtaposition of the two images of him offers a clear, stark distance between father and daughter, as though they are almost total strangers.

“Most of all, she remembered the hiking trips into the mountains. They would find tadpoles in the spring streams, and Daddy would explain how they turned into frogs. And he would put the girls on his shoulders and march along with everybody chanting ‘ribbit-ribbit-ribbit.’”

This memory reflects a simpler, happier time before their father’s departure, and the specifics of the memory echo Darcy’s sense of peace at the tidal pool. Vivid imagery is used to contrast the innocence and joy of childhood with the present-day loss and dissatisfaction with life. These carefree moments of family bonding and the memories they left behind become the anchor that holds the family together even after their father’s abandonment and eventual return.

“She knew Mom was trying to muffle the sounds by burying her face in the pillow. But just as they did years earlier when Dad abandoned the family, the racking sobs bubbled through the darkness.”

This quote uses auditory imagery to emphasize the pain and grief felt by the family, Darcy’s mother in particular. The raw emotion of Darcy’s mother and the cyclical nature of the family’s suffering are especially evident here. The darkness symbolizes the shadow hanging over the family, and the lasting effects of their father’s abandonment.

“Darcy yanked on her wrist, trying to pull free. Up ahead she saw students streaming into Bluford High, laughing and chattering. Nobody seemed to see the drama blocked by the red Nissan.”

This dramatic moment in which Darcy is attacked by Bobby and his friend is a demonstration of her bravery and fighting spirit. Darcy fights for her sister but also for herself, refusing to be victimized. The contrast between the dark, tense situation that Darcy is in with the laughing, happy students nearby adds fear and tension, as Darcy appears to be totally alone in her struggle.

“You can’t give up on people, girl, you hear what I’m sayin’? God don’t give up on us, no matter what we do. So where we get off giving up on each other?”

This statement by Tarah acts as a strong reminder of the importance of questioning preconceptions and embracing possibilities. Tarah insists that people can change and need to stick together despite their flaws and struggles. This advice comes back into Darcy’s mind later when she considers her father. Tarah’s rhetorical question challenges Darcy to reconsider her approach to people, emphasizing the value of not abandoning others even when they make mistakes.

“Darcy’s heart was absolutely galloping now. Hakeem was so close in the cramped space on the sand that she could almost feel his warm breath on her cheeks.”

Sensory imagery and figurative language are used here to convey Darcy’s emotional and physical reaction to being near Hakeem. The metaphor of her galloping heart emphasizes her excitement and nervousness, illustrating the intensity of first love. The close physical description of Hakeem’s breath on her cheeks creates intimacy and tension. It is a key moment for Darcy, in which she begins opening up to the possibilities before her.

“Do you remember, when we’d go hiking, and then sometimes go back at night just to look at the stars and the moon? Remember how bright the moon was, Grandma?”

This quote uses natural imagery to communicate a sense of longing for the past, connecting to the motif of memories that runs throughout the narrative. The moon, a recurring symbol, represents innocence and happier times in which the family was together. By talking to her grandma about these memories, Jamee’s actions hint toward a shift in her character, as she had refused to get close to her grandma since the stroke.

“As much as Darcy enjoyed the music, she enjoyed being with Hakeem even more. His company put a glow on everything.”

This passage uses metaphor to express Darcy’s growing affection for Hakeem. The idea of Hakeem making the world “glow” suggests that he brings light and comfort to Darcy’s life during a time of emotional chaos. The use of simple yet vivid language illustrates the power of new connections during dark times.

“Darcy could not make out the faces of anybody in the canyon. Many wore ponchos or were wrapped in blankets against the night’s chill. Garbage-bag tarps sheltered a pair leaning against a pine tree.”

Schraff uses visual imagery of this bleak setting to showcase the harsh realities of life on the outskirts of society. The canyon is described in a dark tone, emphasizing the danger and desperation that Darcy feels about Jamee running away. The people in the canyon are anonymous, making it seem as though they could be anyone’s child, sister, or friend.

“Darcy had often wondered what she would say to her father if she ever met him again. She had wondered what wild, conflicting emotions would whirl through her heart. But now, in her sorrow and worry over Jamee, there was little emotion over meeting her father.”

This quote showcases Darcy’s internal conflict and the theme of questioning preconceptions and embracing possibilities. The reunion with her father is overshadowed by Darcy’s concern for her sister, showing that she cares more about Jamee than herself. A moment that should have been highly emotional and dramatic turns out to be anticlimactic.

“She could not find it within herself to blame Jamee for what she had done. Jamee was hurt, and in her own mind it must have seemed there was nothing to do but try to outrun the pain. Darcy felt so helpless. She felt as if she was staring through a solid glass wall and watching her sister drown in a distant sea.”

This quote uses an extended metaphor to reflect Darcy’s feelings of helplessness. Imagery of isolation and emotional distance emphasizes the complexity of the bonds of sisterhood and the pain of watching a loved one suffer. The passage reveals Darcy’s deep compassion for others, which is her greatest strength.