Many of the characters in Bert Breen's Barn strike Tom as being lonely, including Ox, Mr. Hook, Mrs. Breen, and Birdy. Tom himself may seem lonely to a lot of us as well, with his life of all work and no play in a shabby home with his mom and sisters. There's no mention of him interacting with peers or having any friends his own age. Loneliness seems to be a fact of life in Boonville and the surrounding countryside, where there are long winters and not too many people in the first place.
Some characters (we're looking at you, Breens) don't mind the isolation, but Tom often feels sad for people who are alone. He's not out organizing ice cream socials every Saturday night, but there's something about him that makes people want to spend time with him and help him, which in turn leads to characters expanding their social circles. Though loneliness is common in the novel and characters can certainly get by on their own, there's also the sense that people are better off when they have others.
Questions About Isolation
- Why is Tom so good at bringing people together? What is it about him that helps people overcome their loneliness and connect with others?
- Do you believe characters like Mrs. Breen, Birdy, and Mr. Hook really are lonely, or is Tom projecting his own perceptions and feelings onto them?
- Are there different kinds of loneliness? How does the novel represent loneliness in different ways?
- How does the setting contribute to the sense of isolation?
Chew on This
Loneliness is a matter of perspective rather than an absolute, observable fact.
People can survive on their own, but they need others to live full, joyful, and successful lives.