Escape Theme Analysis

The word “runaway” in its most literal sense refers to escape. Each main character in the story makes an attempt to escape their respective pasts and problems, but to limited avail. Carla is a runaway in that she leaves her parents, hometown, and future plans of college in the hopes of attaining a more “authentic” life. This doesn’t pan out for her, as she ends up unhappy in her new life. She’s a runaway again when she tries to leave her life with Clark. Flora is a runaway too, in that she leaves her original home when she’s young, then leaves Clark and Carla, too. And, just like Carla, Flora ends up coming back home. Similarly, Sylvia tries to escape the gloomy aftermath of her husband’s death by going on a trip to Greece, but when she returns home, of course, the situation remains. Sylvia is uncomfortable in the house she used to share with Leon and stops sleeping in their bedroom. Eventually, she moves to a new apartment but doesn’t sell the old house, implying that she’s not fully letting go of her former life there and perhaps is keeping the option open to return. Clark, too, seems to be constantly trying to escape from some sort of mental pain. The story doesn’t reveal extensive details about Clark’s past, but it’s clear that he is emotionally troubled and has lost touch with his family. He is a “drifter,” always moving and changing jobs, and he uses the computer as an escape from his unhappy life. But Clark doesn’t find happiness, just as none of the other characters’ escapes are truly successful. In this way, the story depicts running away, or attempting escape, as an ineffective solution to dealing with life’s problems.