Private Peaceful

“Tonight, more than any other night of my life, I want to feel alive.”

The novel begins with backshadowing: Thomas’s desire to feel alive underscores the idea that the memories he is about to recount have profoundly affected him. Since he is awaiting his brother’s death, he intends to honor his life by revisiting their time together and cherishing each moment. The reader therefore spends the novel waiting to find out the significance of this night.

“I watch him until the door closes behind him and he’s gone. Until this moment I have never known what it is to feel truly alone.”

Thomas’s sense of loneliness when he and Charlie are separated reflects the intense bond between them, emphasizing The Power of Familial Bonds. This holds true as the novel progresses, as the brothers remain firm in their support of each other. The whole novel itself traces Thomas’s thoughts as the figurative “door closes behind” Charlie, underscoring the poignancy of the ending when Thomas must learn to be without him.

“He is on his back, his face turned away from me as if he doesn’t want me to see. One arm is outstretched towards me, his glove fallen off, his finger pointing at me.”

Thomas’s father’s tragic death is imprinted on his memory; it is a traumatic event he continuously revisits. The haunting image of his father’s outstretched arm symbolizes the weight of guilt that Thomas carries, believing that he is responsible for his death.