Family is tough when you're a teenager, and almost everyone goes through a phase where the mere sight of their parents is eye roll inducing, while siblings become sworn enemies. In Going Bovine, Cam is a prime example of a teenager who enjoys throwing himself a pity party because of the weak people he's roped to for life. But throw a rapidly advancing terminal illness into the mix and we start to see that family, even with all their flaws, is one of the most important things to treasure during life. Aw.
Questions About Family
- Does Cam resent his mom the way he resents his dad? What similarities and differences do you notice?
- Does Cam's dad deserve to be seen the way his son sees him? Why or why not? Give evidence from the text.
- Does Cameron truly dislike his family? Are there any examples of evidence to the contrary?
- Does his attitude toward his family change? If so, when? If not, what does this tell you about their relationship?
Chew on This
Try on an opinion or two, start a debate, or play the devil’s advocate.
Cameron's family isn't really that bad, he's just being a typical teenager.
Cameron was saddled with a dysfunctional family, so his negative attitude toward them is totally deserved.