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Symbols
The statement of purpose that Kay and Peter force Daniel to write for admission to Carlough College represents the rigid expectations they place upon him. Although Daniel doesn’t want to pursue his academic career any further after failing out of SUNY Potsdam, his adoptive parents insist that he return to Ridgeborough and attend summer classes. “I would write the statement of purpose for you myself if it wasn’t ethically wrong,” Peter says. “Don’t think I haven’t considered it. But do not mistake this for a choice.” This is a perfect illustration of Peter and Kay’s belief that Daniel must do exactly what they tell him. Ignoring what he wants for his life, they make decisions for him and act like he has to live up to their expectations in order to deserve their love and support. Of course, this is a common parenting style, but the Wilkinsons’ focus on the statement of purpose comes to symbolize the ways in which they’re overly fixated on controlling Daniel’s life. That Peter would like to write the statement himself suggests that he not only wants to have control over his adoptive son, but also that he doesn’t think Daniel is capable of doing it himself. In turn, the statement itself stands for both his domineering nature and his lack of faith in Daniel.
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The Statement of Purpose Symbol Timeline in The Leavers
The timeline below shows where the symbol The Statement of Purpose appears in The Leavers. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 2
...enrages Peter. Giving Daniel an application to fill out, Peter tells him to write a statement of purpose , saying, “Do not mistake this for a choice.”
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...parting ways, Peter and Kay tell Daniel that they expect him to give them his statement of purpose the following weekend, since they’ll be returning to the city to attend a birthday party...
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...on a new song and then tries to think of what to say in his statement of purpose . When Roland comes home, he apologizes for running offstage, but Roland doesn’t hold it...
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Chapter 5
...texts her, “you going to your dad’s party Saturday?” He then turns his attention to the statement of purpose , trying to come up with a good reason for why he would want to...
(full context)
Chapter 8
...to piece together what Angel was talking about, Daniel distracts them by giving them his statement of purpose for the Carlough forms. “Good,” Peter says, and Kay can’t hide her happiness. After the...
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...the East River. Over the course of the night, he lost his hat and his statement of purpose , along with all his money. “He’d known early on that he was in over...
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