Character Analysis
Pearl's uncle is an all-around good guy. When his sister's marriage falls apart, he lets her move in with him. He's more than willing to help out undocumented workers by paying their medical bills and helping them get back into the U.S. safely, too. He even hops on his motorbike to save Pearl when the fire breaks out in Fallbrook, literally risking his life to save hers. The fact that he dies trying to reach her only cements his selfless status in our book.
And this is why it's so darn confusing when Robby tells us that his dad is knocking boots with some college student named Mary Beth. Once Pearl finds out about her uncle's affair, she questions everything she knows about Hoyt. She wonders how someone who she's always known to be so honest and open could turn out to be the biggest deceiver of all. It doesn't make sense to her. Listen to how she describes him:
That was the thing that gave Uncle Hoyt real substance, the fact that he always looked like he was weighing your moral fitness and expecting the very best you could be, no lies or cowardice, and giving you the same. (15.38)
Wow. Hoyt's, like, the definition of good, right? No wonder Pearl's so confused when Robby says he's having an affair. Of course, we later learn that Hoyt isn't actually cheating on Agnès at all, because of course he isn't—he really is as good as he seems. The supposed affair was just a big misunderstanding. While Hoyt gives his life trying to rescue Pearl, once Pearl discovers the truth about his totally loyal ways after he's gone, she does what she can to clear his name. It's the least she could do.