Significance+of+Ending2

__**SIGNIFICANCE OF THE ENDING IN "HIDEOUT"**__

At the end of the novel Roz and Dawn have to leave Pukerua Bay. Dawn develops pneumonia and has to be rushed to hospital. After this scare is over a family conference is held with a social worker to decide where Roz and Dawn are going to live. Initially Roz begged and pleaded to be able to go with Rick. He was reluctant because he already has another family and his wife is about to have another child. He eventually agrees however last minute Roz suddenly changes her mind. She tells the social worker at the family conference that she want's to stay "with Sylvia...I want to live with my mum". This is also the first time that Roz has called Sylvia "Mum" in years.


 * __WHY IS THIS ENDING IMPORTANT?__**

The ending of the novel is important as it shows just how much Roz has changed and also the main themes, one of which is the importance of family and knowing where you come from. Roz makes a deal with Sylvia that if she stays she has to take her to Granity to see her father. She knows she must find her father and family to be "complete". She also realises just how much Sylvia needs her. By staying with Sylvia this shows that Roz is now confronting her problems rather than running away from them.This decision also shows that Roz has learnt and that her and Dawn need to separate for both their sakes. Dawn relies on Roz too much and Roz cannot have a normal relationship with her. It is a mother daughter relationship rather than sister sister. They have also begun to resent each other for this.
 * "Not knowing is like...like not knowing half of myself. I'm incomplete"
 * "You can look after Dawn now. I want to be on my own. Just Roz"
 * "We were starting to be bad for each other. We need each other too much"


 * __Roz's decision to stay with Sylvia shows the themes:__**
 * It is important to know who you are and where you come from
 * That running away doesn't solve your problems
 * That too much responsibility at a young age can be destructive