In ‘Hideout’ an important relationship is between the novels
main characters, Roz and Dawn.
Roz and Dawn are half-sisters. Roz is 15 years old with long brown
hair, has a dark complexion and is nicknamed “podgy” by her mother.
Dawn on the other hand is 9 years old, has blue eyes, blonde hair and
a “cute baby-doll smile”. Roz acts as a mother figure to Dawn due to
their mother Sylvia being a severe alcoholic and extremely neglectful.
As a result Dawn learns to rely on Roz far more than a sister should
have to. This is one of the reasons why their relationship is so strong.
Another reason why their relationship is so strong is that they have to
overcome a number of difficult experiences. For example Dawn is
sexually abused by their mother’s boyfriend Stan. Roz decides to
run away with Dawn to Pukerua bay to keep her safe. While in
Pukerua Bay Roz has to steal food, rescue Dawn from drowning and
also get her to hospital when she develops pneumonia. These events
all contribute to creating a strong relationship between Roz and Dawn.
WHY IS THIS RELATIONSHIP IMPORTANT?
This relationship is important because it gives readers a deeper understanding or insight into each of these characters and why they make the decisions that they do. It also helps show the main themes of the novel which are:
Running away does not solve your problems
Too much responsibility at a young age can be destructive
The importance of knowing who you are and where you come from
EXAMPLES WHICH SHOW THEME:
Running away does not solve your problems
The fact that Roz and Dawn both have to confront their issues at the family conference. Their time at Pukerua Bay just prevented them from dealing with them earlier.
"What I didn't know then was that you can never escape what is inside your head"
Too much responsibility at a young age can be destructive
When Roz and Dawn have an argument at Pukerua Bay and Dawn tells Roz “Your not my mother”. This shows that she has become resentful of Roz’s control over her, even if it is needed. Also at the end of the novel Roz decides to stay with Sylvia instead of going to live with Dawn and Rick in Auckland. She can’t believe how “light and free” she feels after this decision. This just shows how much pressure she was actually under.
The importance of knowing who you are and where you come from
The contrast between Roz and Dawn helps show readers that it is important to know where you come from. Dawn is very like her mother and knows exactly who her father is. Roz on the other hand is the opposite to both Dawn and Sylvia. Unlike Dawn she does not know who her father is. This is important as it causes an argument between Roz and Dawn. Roz finds out Dawn has secretly been planning to move to Auckland with her father – Roz tells her off for not thinking of her and Dawn states “he’s my father not yours”. This helps Roz realise how important it is to confront Sylvia and find out who her father is. She realises that she must know her past and family to be “whole”.
“How can I live with this empty space inside”
“Not knowing is like not knowing half of myself…I’m incomplete”
IMPORTANT RELATIONSHIP:
In ‘Hideout’ an important relationship is between the novels
main characters, Roz and Dawn.
Roz and Dawn are half-sisters. Roz is 15 years old with long brown
hair, has a dark complexion and is nicknamed “podgy” by her mother.
Dawn on the other hand is 9 years old, has blue eyes, blonde hair and
a “cute baby-doll smile”. Roz acts as a mother figure to Dawn due to
their mother Sylvia being a severe alcoholic and extremely neglectful.
As a result Dawn learns to rely on Roz far more than a sister should
have to. This is one of the reasons why their relationship is so strong.
Another reason why their relationship is so strong is that they have to
overcome a number of difficult experiences. For example Dawn is
sexually abused by their mother’s boyfriend Stan. Roz decides to
run away with Dawn to Pukerua bay to keep her safe. While in
Pukerua Bay Roz has to steal food, rescue Dawn from drowning and
also get her to hospital when she develops pneumonia. These events
all contribute to creating a strong relationship between Roz and Dawn.
WHY IS THIS RELATIONSHIP IMPORTANT?
This relationship is important because it gives readers a deeper understanding or insight into each of these characters and why they make the decisions that they do. It also helps show the main themes of the novel which are:
EXAMPLES WHICH SHOW THEME:
Running away does not solve your problems
The fact that Roz and Dawn both have to confront their issues at the family conference. Their time at Pukerua Bay just prevented them from dealing with them earlier.
Too much responsibility at a young age can be destructive
When Roz and Dawn have an argument at Pukerua Bay and Dawn tells Roz “Your not my mother”. This shows that she has become resentful of Roz’s control over her, even if it is needed. Also at the end of the novel Roz decides to stay with Sylvia instead of going to live with Dawn and Rick in Auckland. She can’t believe how “light and free” she feels after this decision. This just shows how much pressure she was actually under.
The importance of knowing who you are and where you come from
The contrast between Roz and Dawn helps show readers that it is important to know where you come from. Dawn is very like her mother and knows exactly who her father is. Roz on the other hand is the opposite to both Dawn and Sylvia. Unlike Dawn she does not know who her father is. This is important as it causes an argument between Roz and Dawn. Roz finds out Dawn has secretly been planning to move to Auckland with her father – Roz tells her off for not thinking of her and Dawn states “he’s my father not yours”. This helps Roz realise how important it is to confront Sylvia and find out who her father is. She realises that she must know her past and family to be “whole”.