The Names

Knapp’s motif of names shifts and evolves in its thematic significance as the story progresses. Initially, the act of naming reflects The Large Impact of Small Choices. Cora agonizes over registering her son’s name as she believes her decision will influence the formation of his character and his life’s trajectory. The idea is based on the theory of nominative determinism, which suggests that names can consciously or unconsciously guide individuals toward certain paths in life, such as pursuing professions that align with their names. Early in the novel, Gordon provides an example of this phenomenon when he observes that the name “Mr Legg is pretty common” (2) amongst orthopedic surgeons.

Cora’s inherent belief in the significance of names in determining one’s fate establishes the central premise of Knapp’s novel. For example, Cora fears that naming her daughter Maia (meaning mother) may have had unintentional consequences. While she chose the name to create a special connection with her daughter, Cora notes that Maia emulates her placatory behavior toward Gordon and is concerned that she will repeat the same patterns. Her aversion to calling her son Gordon stems from a similar anxiety, as, for her, the name is synonymous with cruelty, control, and abuse.