I like your analysis, especially of what is clearly a foreshadowing of Tod's actions. I'd forgotten all of what you wrote until I read your quotes. But I don't think this is intended to be a mystery. Who killed Caroline isn't really a concern, the book is about the people on Pepper St. and their shortcomings and cruelties. My issue is that I'm looking for a deeper meaning, an extension of these people's actions to a greater whole, to humanity in general, and I'm not seeing it. I *want* this book to be about more than the seven or eight families on Pepper St., but I'm not seeing it. This makes the book seem very limited in scope, and of a lesser nature than I'd hoped.
no subject
But I don't think this is intended to be a mystery. Who killed Caroline isn't really a concern, the book is about the people on Pepper St. and their shortcomings and cruelties.
My issue is that I'm looking for a deeper meaning, an extension of these people's actions to a greater whole, to humanity in general, and I'm not seeing it. I *want* this book to be about more than the seven or eight families on Pepper St., but I'm not seeing it. This makes the book seem very limited in scope, and of a lesser nature than I'd hoped.