'Into the Forest' brings a feeling of separation and loneliness to the reader very early in the book. We read even on the title page the message 'Come home Dad'. We wonder if the broken soldier is a hint; is it the terrible storm outside or a noisy argument disturbing our narrator's sleep. These 'cues for multiple constructions' are ambiguous but not necessary to the story.
An evil electric light hovers over the dinner table casting illogical shadows where Dad should be sitting. Another 'Come home Dad' note is on the TV and light switch, references to science and technology.
The young boy walks into the forest and encounters ghosts from classic children's stories. Jack tries to sell his cow with the silhouette of Jack's profile on her side, a twining beanstalk in the background. Red Riding Hood, Hansel and Gretel, a pumpkin and a slipper, a spinning wheel and a high tower and of course a prince on a horse all help to bring intertextuality to the tale. We weave together all we have read and heard and what we see in this forest and can guess at the boy's future.
Meredith Leamon
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