My parents have always told me they will love me no matter what. I would imagine that they would forgive me for any mistakes I have made. Valerie’s father became one of the most important characters in part three of Hate list. He changed the way I began to look at him with just a few important revelations.
The first revelation is that Valerie’s dad is going to move in with his secretary. This showed to me that he was ready to leave the family and that only the shooting had kept him at Valerie’s house. I can understand why he would not want to stay. I also understand why he had to stay at the house with his family. Valerie seems to really understand his situation and I’m sure that she would forgive him.
This leads to what I think is the biggest revelation for Valerie’s father. When he asks if Valerie will forgive him for leaving she asks if he will forgive her. When he states that he will never forgive her I was stunned. It was definitely one the most powerful moments in the book. I know that what Valerie had done was wrong by making the list, but if he took more time to talk with her he would realize it was a mistake. She didn’t mean for anything bad to happen to anyone.
I can’t imagine either of my parents telling me they could never forgive me. Valerie’s father has the right to leave and be with Briley, but I was upset in knowing that he would even sit with his daughter and talk with her about the tragedy that changed her life. She was still a victim of the tragedy that struck the school and it is his responsibility to talk with her about it.
I TOTALLY agree, Dan! Until I reread the novel, I had forgotten about how much I disliked Valerie's dad. My parents, like yours, have been true to their words when they said they would forgive all of my stupid mistakes. I think that's part of being a parent. I wonder how Valerie's lack of parenting affected some of the (stupid) choices that she made.
ReplyDeleteVery thoughtful blog.