Even though Nikki leaves for days on end and has her kids fend for themselves, they don't exactly feel free. In fact, Matthew claims that he feels more trapped than ever in The Rules of Survival, because they're stuck in such a dysfunctional family situation and are all too young to get out. Even when Nikki hits him and tells him to get out, he realizes that he cannot leave—he can't just walk out, leave his siblings behind, and find someplace else to live. It is only when Nikki loses custody that the kids feel really free to be themselves, instead of constantly in survival mode.
Questions About Freedom and Confinement
- Why do you think Callie has an easier time dreaming big than Matthew does? Does this make her freer in some way? Why or why not?
- Why doesn't Matthew ever walk out on Nikki with his siblings? Is this a sort of confinement? And if so, who confines him in this way?
- How does Nikki losing custody of the children give them more freedom?
Chew on This
Even though Nikki often leaves the children alone for days on end, they are not really free to do as they please. They are still chained to her, even when they are physically apart.
The children can only experience real freedom when Nikki is experiencing imprisonment. It is only when she is in jail that they can relax and be themselves.