Majors Themes: Illness

    Caring for the sick and lame all describes Ethans life. By the end of the book all of the characters, including Mattie have suffered from a sickness and disability. Ethan spends the years before the novel tending to his mother who was sick. After, Ethan and Mattie's several attempts of suicide he was stuck with caring for his wife and handicapped Mattie. Outward physical signs reflect inner realities ,and the predominance of illness in the characters’ physical states indicates that, inwardly, they are all in states of destitution and decline.

"I want to put my hand out and touch you. I want to do for you and care for you. I want to be there when you’re sick and when you’re lonesome.” – Chapter 9