In Bullyville, family is the source of real happiness and intense despair. After his father's death, Bart looks to his mom for love and comfort. They're super close, but they don't talk much about what happened—and they haven't told anyone that Bart's dad left home six months before he died. Oops. Though this secret eats away at him, Bart keeps it under wraps because it's what his mom wants.
Bart sacrifices other things, too, in the name of his mother's happiness. He doesn't tell her about being bullied at school because he knows it will upset her, for instance. But once Bart finally comes clean about everything, his mom is there for him, supporting him through his trouble at school and his grief over Nola's death.
Questions About Family
- Bart's mom seems really close to her family… So why do you think she hides her separation from them?
- What do you make of Tyro's dad? Is he genuinely generous and caring? Or is he just compensating for having a nightmare son?
- Do you think Bart would have become such good friends with Nola if he'd known she was Tyro's sister? Why or why not?
Chew on This
Bart's mom is his greatest source of angst.
Bart's mom is his greatest source of comfort.