Turtle Moon: Analysis of Major Characters
"Turtle Moon: Analysis of Major Characters" delves into the lives of key figures in a narrative that explores themes of loss, identity, and familial bonds. Central to the story is Lucy Rosen, a divorced mother grappling with her son Keith's troubling behavior while navigating her own past marked by family loss. Lucy's intense love for Keith is overshadowed by her inability to connect with him, especially as he spirals into delinquency. Keith, labeled "the meanest boy in Verity," embodies adolescent confusion and anger, yearning for a sense of belonging that he feels is missing in his current life.
Another significant character is Julian Cash, a police detective haunted by his own history, particularly the guilt from a tragic accident involving his cousin, Bobby. Julian’s emotional detachment from the community contrasts with his devotion to his dogs, especially Loretta, who accompanies him on his investigations. The narrative also introduces Bethany Lee, Lucy's neighbor, whose mysterious past and tragic murder catalyze the central plot. Lastly, the ghost of Bobby serves as a poignant reminder of unresolved guilt and familial ties, influencing Julian's journey as he seeks closure. Together, these characters navigate a complex web of relationships and personal struggles, forming a rich tapestry that invites deeper exploration.
Turtle Moon: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Alice Hoffman
First published: 1992
Genre: Novel
Locale: Verity, Florida, and Great Neck, New York
Plot: Detective and mystery
Time: The 1980's
Lucy Rosen, a divorced woman in her late thirties, the mother of Keith and neighbor of Bethany Lee. Lucy's parents died when she was a teenager, and she lived with relatives in Great Neck, New York, where she became a successful, popular student. After divorcing her high school sweetheart, she moved to Verity, where she writes obituaries for the local newspaper. Her primary concern is her son Keith's increasingly delinquent behavior. She loves him intensely but does not understand him and cannot communicate with him. When Keith disappears with Bethany's baby after Bethany is murdered, Lucy joins Julian Cash in the investigation.
Julian Cash, a police detective who trains and owns tracking dogs. Although he grew up in Verity, he maintains a distance from others in the community. Abandoned as an infant, Julian later established a close friendship with his cousin, Bobby. When he was seventeen, Julian's car crashed into a tree, killing Bobby. His guilt over this incident still haunts him, and he cannot come to terms with his own past. Julian's closest relationships are with his two dogs, Loretta and Arrow, and with Miss Giles, the woman who reared him. He takes Loretta with him everywhere, but Arrow is too wild to be let out of his pen except when his talent at sniffing out dead bodies is needed.
Keith Rosen, who is referred to as “the meanest boy in Verity.” As he enters adolescence, Keith is angry and confused. He has started skipping school, drinking, and committing petty crimes. He dislikes Verity intensely and wants to return to Great Neck to live with his father. Despite his rebellious attitude, Keith establishes close connections with Bethany's baby and with Julian's dog, Arrow.
Bethany Lee, Lucy's neighbor. She has moved to Verity and taken on a false identity to escape her former husband, Randy, who wants to claim custody of their daughter. Her murder initiates the central plot of the novel.
The Angel, the ghost of Julian's cousin, Bobby. In part because Julian has never returned to the scene of the fatal crash, Bobby has never been able to forgive his cousin, and he remains waiting in the small area around the tree into which they crashed.