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Visitation: Chapter 13
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in NW, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Class Identity and Social Mobility
Geography and Human Connection
Sex and Relationships
Altruism
Summary
Analysis
Back in May, about a month after Shar came to Leah’s door, Leah is walking in Brondesbury. Leah suddenly runs into Shar, who grabs her wrist. It’s back in May, only about a month after the time when Shar came to Leah’s door. Shar has a black eye. She admits to being an “addict” who stole Leah’s money. Leah asks if there’s anything she can do to help. Shar doesn’t answer, so Leah gives Shar her phone number. Shar just stumbles away saying she can’t take it anymore.
Addiction is a recurring theme in the novel. While characters like Pauline or Michel think of addiction as a personal failing, for Leah, the distinction is less clear. This explains why she still wants to help Shar. Shar’s new black eye suggests that, even if she did lie to Leah about her exact reason for needing money, her stories about abuse have some truth to them.
Themes
