“But time runs on a different scale for her now. It is not something that can be filled with activities, made productive. It is just nothingness, a bland series of days and weeks, a lifetime of undefined joylessness stretching in front of her.”
Before the act of sexual violence against her, Vivian was a vibrant woman with a deep interest in exploring new cultures and life in general. The aftermath of the rape sees her suffer from post-trauma, terror, loneliness and emotional pain. The statement comprehends Vivian’s life experience which is now full of gloom and misery. Her dynamic personality is lost and every day she drifts farther away from the woman she used to be. The author captures the traumatic effects of rape and how it takes a long time to recover and revert to one’s former self.
“She looks at the video camera, exhausted. The last thing she wants is to talk through it one more time.”
The overarching theme of the narrative is the continual nature of traumas following an act of sexual violence. Vivian as a victim of rape trying to seek justice against her attacker Johnny has to suffer the ordeal of reliving the incident over and over again. She has to constantly talk about the attack to the authorities, medical doctors, psychologists and also the Crisis Response Center. Thus, the assertion attests to how the experience adds to her post-trauma and does not help her heal despite the necessity and importance of the process.
“Do I regret it? Regret’s one of them words they’re always trying to hammer into you from the outside. Another trick to make you feel bad about yourself, because you’re a tinker and you’re dirt. Only, regret don’t mean nothing to me.”
The novel offers both the perspective of the rape victim, Vivian and also the attacker, Johnny. Hence the narrator attempts to explore the psychology of both individuals which demands empathy from the reader. The narrative offers the attacker the chance to give his side of story despite his actions being detestable, evil and unforgivable. In the quotation, Johnny affirms how he harbors no regrets in regard to his act of violence against Vivian. He justifies his sentiment by asserting he has had a difficult life and the incident is collateral damage. Regardless of seeking understanding, Johnny's action still has to be judged as nothing can vindicate such an act.
