No doubt about it, Will is isolated in Freewill. His parents are dead, he goes to a school he has no interest in attending, and he's generally stuck in a depressive spiral that leaves him wallowing and preferring to be alone. Thing is, though, that there are actually some people in his life—Gran, Pops, and Angela, at least—and these people care a whole heckofa lot about him. So Will's isolation is, on some level, a choice he's making. And in the end, it's one he chooses to undo.
Questions About Isolation
- How is isolation both good and bad for Will?
- Will is not the only character who isolates himself. Who else does this and why?
- Will and Angela claim they have given up on people and that they don't really fit in anywhere. How does Angela change those feelings in Will? Does Will change them in her?
- What does Will discover about his grandfather that makes him feel less alone?
Chew on This
Try on an opinion or two, start a debate, or play the devil’s advocate.
Being lonely and being alone are not the same thing.
Ultimately, Will's isolation is entirely self-imposed.