Isolation is like constipation: you can try to avoid it, but sometimes your choices make it inevitable. In "Death in the Woods," we're shown how isolation—from society at large and from the people closest to us—can impact our lives in negative ways. In the story, Mrs. Grimes lives in a small cottage a few miles away from a tiny town. Now that's isolation. But things run deeper: Mrs. Grimes is also isolated from her own family, forced into the role of a servant and denied her humanity. How can someone cope with these conditions, you ask? You're just going to have to keep reading to find out.
Questions About Isolation
- In your opinion, why does the Grimes family live far from town?
- How do the townsfolk contribute to the Grimeses' isolation?
- Are Jake and his son wrong to leave Mrs. Grimes home alone during the winter? Why or why not?
- Does isolation enable Jake's abuse of Mrs. Grimes? Explain your answer.
Chew on This
Like many abusive spouses, Jake Grimes isolates his wife both internally and externally, making it almost impossible for her to escape.
Jake Grimes' criminal activity isolates him and his family from the townsfolk, preventing him from going straight even if he wanted to.