46 pages • 1 hour read
Sharon CreechSaving Winslow
Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2018A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Themes
The Benefits of Caregiving
Sometimes tending to others nurtures the caregiver. This this the case with Louie who benefits both physically and emotionally from nursing Winslow to health.
When Winslow gets sick not long after landing in Louie’s care, the boy gains both physical nursing skills and confidence. Learning that he must give the animal a shot every day for 10 days, Louie doubts he can do it: “Give a shot? You want me to give a shot?” (45). The questions and emphasis on the words “me” and “shot” suggest that Louie does not believe he is capable of such responsibility. However, the veterinarian provides the boy with clear instructions and encouragement. Despite trepidation and a few failed attempts, Louie ultimately succeeds. Later, once Winslow returns to Uncle Pete’s farm, Louie puts these same skills to use when a lamb needs shots. Louie does not hesitate when he says, “Or you could hold it and I could give it the shots [...] I know how to do that now” (161). Instead of deferring to the adult, Louie offers to do something he once believed himself incapable of, proving that he has not only gained nursing skills, but confidence in himself as well.
Another benefit of looking after Winslow is the empathy that Louie has developed. When the donkey first arrives, the boy worries incessantly, doing everything possible to keep the animal alive. Consequently, “he wondered, had his parents begged him to stay alive? Did they hover over him like he was hovering over Winslow? Did they urge him to keep breathing? Did they pat him and talk to him?” (21). Louie was born two months premature, and his questions emphasize that he feels a connection to Winslow, for he wonders if his parents once tended to him like Louie now nurtures the donkey. The boy’s thoughts highlight his compassion and how making personal connections with others builds empathy. This is reinforced after the storm when Mrs. Tooley and Boom-Boom stay with Louie’s family:
[Louie] wondered if there was a Mr. Tooley somewhere, and if there was, it must be hard to be away from his son, and it must be hard for Mrs. Tooley to be on her own.
And then he thought about Nora and wondered how hard to would be to have had a baby brother who didn’t make it, and a dog who died too.
And he thought about Winslow, who never knew his mother, and how odd it would be to be raised by strangers who didn’t speak your language (153-54).
Instead of feeling badly for himself, Louie considers others’ situations. He could be angry with Mrs. Tooley for mistreating Winslow. However, he thinks about how hard things must be for her. Furthermore, he could be annoyed with Nora for her constant silence and mysterious behavior, but instead he chooses to imagine the impact of losing both a baby brother and a beloved pet. Finally, he thinks about how although he loves Winslow, that this life must be difficult for the donkey. This perspective taking, a sign of growing maturity, is a result of having to care for Winslow. His experience looking after the donkey has gifted him with the ability to consider the experiences of others and build his own empathy.
The Power of Positivity
Looking at a situation as if “the glass were half full” is a common saying that highlights the positive by focusing on what is there, not what is missing. Optimism such as this has benefits, which Louie demonstrates with both Winslow and his friend Nora.
For Louie, positivity motivates him to save Winslow from death. Despite his lackluster history of caring for animals, he has hope that the donkey will survive. In the feedstore, when his dad buys minimal supplies because he thinks the animal will die, Louie interrupts him: “Don’t say it! Think positive!” (13). With such a daunting task ahead of him, Louie interrupts his father to focus on the good. Although this can be considered blind optimism, for it is often important to consider real challenges, in this moment, Louie’s penchant for positivity focuses him on the task, so he does not get overwhelmed in “what ifs.” This motivation is evident when later that day he works with Winslow for two hours to get the animal to eat, “holding him, talking with him, petting him, coaxing him to drink. He dripped milk onto his finger and slipped his finger into Winslow’s mouth. Winslow sucked on it eagerly” (19). Two hours is an eternity for a 10 year old to stay focused and not give up. However, Louie’s upbeat attitude motivates him to persevere, getting the animal to eat. This grit and resilience in the face of a daunting task directly results from Louie’s unflagging optimism.
Louie’s positive outlook also pushes Nora out of her comfort zone. After an animal control officer and health inspector mandate that Winslow leave the premises of Louie’s house, he finds Nora. As they meander, he suggests going to Uncle Pete’s farm with Winslow. At first, she demurs, but he gently encourages her indicating that she “might” like it (136). Nora’s resistance stems from her fear of losing Winslow, for the suggestion was made that the donkey start living on the farm instead of at Louie’s house. However, Louie’s bright outlook pushes her to visit the farm and once there, “Nora clapped her hands to her mouth each time she saw a new animal, as if she were trying to keep something inside from escaping [...] He had never seen Nora so animated” (140). The rare showcase of emotion indicates the delight Nora takes in all the animals. She would never have experienced such joy without Louie’s encouragement and optimism. In fact, this experience makes both Nora and Louie accept Winslow’s departure easier because they love where he will be, and they know they can visit. Like the water in the glass that is half full, Louie’s optimism has the power to fuel his own actions and to push his friend past her fears.
The Impact of Absent Loved Ones
A person who is not physically present can still impact others. Both Louie and Nora are influenced by those who are absent: Louie by Gus, who is temporarily gone in the military, and Nora by her brother, who did not survive birth.
Absence creates an emptiness that can be filled with worry and negative thoughts. Louie frequently mentions the empty spaces where Gus used to be, and the older boy’s physical presence is replaced with worry. While caring for Winslow, Louie’s mind strays to his brother: “Now, when Louie was holding Winslow, coaxing him to drink, wishing him stronger, he hoped that if Gus were sick or injured, someone would watch over him” (27). The boy’s compassion for Winslow spurs concern that no one is caring for his brother. Life in the military is not easy, and Louie hopes that Gus has someone to look out for him. This worry turns to fear at times, for when the animal control officer knocks on the door, Louie’s first thought is that someone is bringing bad news about Gus. Prolonged absence brings about catastrophic thinking for Louie. In the case of Nora, she will never see her baby brother again, and she fears getting close to anyone or anything in case they, too, are taken from her. She articulates this fear when learning that Winslow will have to leave Louie’s house. She says, “You get attached to something and it always gets taken away! I knew it!” (121). Her use of the word “always” indicates her rigid thinking that the only possible outcome is loss because that is all she has experienced. The absence of her brother, and possibly Winslow, reinforces Nora’s fear of attachment. Both children highlight the negative impacts that result from loved ones being gone, either temporarily or permanently.
However, thoughts and memories of loved ones can also bolster a person’s mood or remind them of life’s lessons, as is evident in Louie’s recollections of Gus. Before the older boy left for the military, Louie idolized him and this has not changed: “Louie missed his brother, Gus, and [...] Louie hoped he could serve his country, too, and he sometimes imagined himself standing on a hilltop, guarding the territory. Sometimes his arms were spread wide as if to shield everyone behind him” (22-23). Louie wishes to be just like his older brother, serving his country too, even though he does not fully understand what that means. Ultimately, Louie wants to emulate Gus’s protection of others. In addition to being a role model in his absence, Gus also provides life lessons to Louie when the latter remembers their past interactions. For example, when Louie was young and thought a bear was attacking him, Gus showed him that it was only a jacket. Embarrassed, Louie begs his brother not to tell their parents. Gus agreed and shared his own story: “One time I was afraid of a moth” (97). By admitting this, Gus teaches Louie that everyone fears the worst at times and that it is part of life. Louie recalls this while searching for Winslow, so the memory of Gus reminds him that things are not always as bad as they seem. Even in his absence, Gus serves as a role model and mentor to his younger brother.
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By Sharon Creech
