Keeping 13

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2018

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Summary

Background

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-10

Chapters 11-25

Chapters 26-43

Chapters 44-52

Chapters 53-68

Chapters 69-82

Character Analysis

Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Tools

Beta

Discussion Questions

Symbols & Motifs

“Every Part of You”

One motif in the novel is the use of the phrase “every part of you,” which Shannon and Johnny use in various forms to describe their love and mutual acceptance. The phrase is first used after Shannon finds out that her father can go free after his treatment in rehab. However, when she starts to address her fear that it will affect how Johnny feels about her, he interrupts her, replying that he “wants” her, “every part and every piece” (277). Shannon later says the same to Johnny as he struggles to control his feelings for her and to understand what she wants. She tells him that she wants “everything,” “especially the broken parts” (329). The phrase is repeated several more times between the two, as they each struggle with their own issues and look to the other for support.

This motif conveys two important themes: The Lasting Impact of Trauma and The Power of Love to Heal and Transform. After everything that Shannon has been through, with the bullying at school and the abuse from her father, she struggles with severe anxiety, issues with her self-image, and several more insecurities. As a result, she views herself as “broken” in some way due to her past trauma. Johnny, meanwhile, has always been defined by his rugby ability and fears that if he can no longer play, he will be unworthy of love. For both, their past has made them feel that “parts” of themselves are “broken” and, in some ways, unlovable. However, as the two repeatedly reaffirm throughout the novel that they love “every part”—even those that are “broken”—they begin the process of healing through their love. As they learn that the other person will not judge them for their flaws, their past, and the lasting effects of their trauma, the two can grow their relationship together and, ultimately, begin to heal.

The Tree House

The tree house in Johnny’s backyard is a symbol of safety and protection in the novel. After Shannon’s parents die, Johnny is unable to go back into his house and deal with the grief surrounding the Lynch children. Instead, he turns and flees, ending up in the tree house where he sits with Gibsie to confess how he feels. They spend the night in the tree house talking, conveying the theme of The Importance of Community. The tree house serves as a place of safety for Johnny, where he can openly talk about how he feels and get unconditional support from Gibsie.

A few days later, again struggling with grief and how to help Shannon and her family, Johnny gets together with his friends. They devote an entire day to rebuilding the tree house for Shannon’s little brothers. After, Tadhg and Ollie spend much of their time in there, with Johnny noting that “it’s the first time they’ve ever had a space that was entirely theirs. […] It makes them feel safe” (556). As the boys deal with The Lasting Impact of Trauma, they can cope better because they have the tree house as a place to get away from life’s difficulties—both a physical place to escape and a symbolic one.

Music

Music is an important motif that plays a key role in the relationship between Shannon and Johnny. At times, music is used as a source of humor, such as when Gibsie plays the song “Like a Virgin” by Madonna outside Shannon’s house or when Shannon and Johnny find Gibsie’s CD of inappropriate songs in his car. However, it also serves as an important symbol of healing and growth for the characters, conveying the theme of The Power of Love to Heal and Transform.

At two key points in the text, music plays a pivotal role in their relationship. First, when Shannon breaks down at the news of her parents’ deaths, Johnny sits with her in the living room and sings the Beatles song “Here Comes the Sun.” This song, which is about a “long, cold, lonely winter” finally disappearing with the arrival of the sun, features the refrains “here comes the sun” and “it’s alright.” These words serve as a form of comfort for Shannon, as Johnny repeatedly reminds her that despite everything that is happening in her life right now, there will be a new day when the sun will rise, and she can slowly begin to put things behind her. Then, when Johnny and Shannon attend the music festival with their friends, they spend two full days simply being together, listening to music and enjoying the time they have together. During this festival, Johnny realizes that he will be missing out on a lot in his life—time with Shannon, time with friends, and time to just enjoy his youth—if he takes his rugby contract. In particular, when the song “The Middle” by Jimmy Eat World comes on, which was a key song in forming their relationship in Binding 13, Shannon thinks how “[i]t was at that exact moment that I knew I was going to be okay. That I could do this. I could live this life with him” (633). This reminder of where their relationship started, as well as the lyrics of the song which stress that “everything, everything will be alright,” confirm for Shannon that she has been transformed by her love for Johnny and that she will be able to survive whatever they face together.