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Part 1, Chapter 18
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Holes, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Fate and Destiny
Cruelty vs. Kindness
Justice
Power, Money, and Education
Man vs. Nature
Summary
Analysis
One night, Stanley wakes to a strange noise. He eventually realizes it's Squid crying and asks Squid if he's okay. Squid sniffs that he's fine. In the morning, Stanley checks on Squid. Squid informs Stanley that he has allergies and if Stanley says anything else, he'll break his jaw. Stanley complies, though he doesn't say much anyway, as he's afraid of saying the wrong thing. He knows his fellow campers are dangerous. Stanley is thankful and surprised that there aren't racial tensions between the campers.
Stanley's belief that his tent mates are dangerous and fundamentally different from him is again indicative of the cruel and selfish environment that Camp Green Lake promotes. This thought also suggests that Stanley isn't fully aware that he's changing to become more accepting of the camp’s social structure, while checking on Squid suggests he's not fully hardened yet.
Themes
One day, Stanley sees the water truck coming and takes his place in line. Mr. Sir fills their canteens and as the truck pulls away, Magnet asks Group D if anyone wants sunflower seeds. Magnet tosses Mr. Sir's bag of seeds to X-Ray, Armpit, Squid, and then Zigzag. Stanley has no interest—he knows the salty seeds will get them in trouble at worst and at the very least, make them thirsty. When Zigzag tosses the bag, the seeds spill all over Stanley's hole. As Stanley tries to gather the seeds, Zigzag shouts that the truck is coming back. Stanley feels extremely unlucky.
Note that Stanley doesn't blame his own lack of hand-eye coordination; by blaming his family's bad luck he's able to make more sense out of the event and feel as though it's something that was bound to happen. This also tells the reader that even though Stanley thinks the curse is far-fetched, something will probably happen that will lead Stanley closer to his destiny.
Themes
Stanley is unable to cover the sack properly by the time Mr. Sir arrives. Mr. Sir observes that Stanley found something, and suggests that they take it to the Warden. Stanley explains that he stole the sack himself and ate the sunflower seeds all by himself. Armpit, X-Ray, and Magnet shout to Stanley that he was rude to not share. Stanley follows Mr. Sir to the truck and thinks it feels good to sit in the shady cab.
Though the rest of Group D's teasing is a way for them to help corroborate Stanley's story, it's also telling that Stanley is willing to take the blame. This suggests that he fears the social backlash of ratting out Magnet more than he fears dealing with Mr. Sir.
Themes
