Page 2: Chapter One - Introduction to Larry Ott

This chapter introduces Larry Ott, a central character in Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter, providing insight into his daily life and personal circumstances.

Larry Ott's Background and Routine

Larry is a 41-year-old bachelor living alone in his parents' house in rural Mississippi. He works as a mechanic, operating the garage he inherited. His daily routine includes:

1. Feeding chickens
2. Having breakfast
3. Watching the news
4. Collecting mail
5. Driving to the garage

Highlight: Larry's isolated lifestyle and sparse customer base at his garage emphasize his social exclusion within the community.

Larry's Interests and Family

Larry is an avid reader and member of several book clubs. He often reads while waiting for customers at his garage. His mother lives in a nursing home for the poor, primarily serving black residents. Larry's relationship with his mother is caring, despite her dementia.

Vocabulary: Dementia - A general term for a decline in mental ability severe enough to interfere with daily life.

The Mysterious Intruder

The chapter takes a dark turn when Larry returns home to find an intruder wearing a zombie mask that Larry had owned as a child. The masked figure shoots Larry in the chest.

Example: The use of Larry's childhood zombie mask by the attacker creates a chilling connection between Larry's past and present, foreshadowing the novel's exploration of how past events impact the characters' current lives.

Page 3: Introduction to Silas Jones

This section introduces Silas Jones, the other central character in Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter, and provides context for the novel's setting and ongoing events.

Silas Jones: Constable of Chabot

Silas Jones, nicknamed "32" (his baseball number) or "Constable," is the sole law enforcement officer in the small town of Chabot, Mississippi. His current primary task is searching for the missing Rutherford girl.

Definition: Constable - A peace officer with limited policing authority, typically in rural areas.

The Discovery of M&M

While searching for the missing girl, Silas discovers the decomposing body of Morton Morisette (M&M), a small-time drug dealer likely killed by a crack addict some time ago.

Silas's Background and Life in Chabot

Silas grew up in Chabot, living with his mother in a hunting cabin without modern amenities. The cabin was owned by a white man, highlighting the racial and economic disparities in the area. Chabot is described as a decaying rural town with limited job opportunities and poor cell phone coverage.

Highlight: The description of Chabot as a "slowly decaying grid" emphasizes the economic struggles and isolation of the community, which play a significant role in the novel's themes.

Silas's Relationship with Larry Ott

Silas knows Larry from school and refers to him by the nickname "Norman Bates" (a reference to the murderer in Hitchcock's "Psycho"). This nickname suggests Larry's reputation in the town. Silas becomes concerned when he learns that Larry had not been at his shop recently, especially since Larry had tried to contact him two years earlier when Silas returned to Chabot.

The Cindy Walker Incident

The chapter mentions an incident from 25 years ago involving Cindy Walker, who went missing after a date with Larry. Although Larry was suspected, no body was found, and he was never arrested.

Quote: "She have gone missing after a date with Larry, but Larry was never arrested; no body was found, so the police could not arrest him."

Page 4: The Ambiguity of Belonging

This page delves into the central theme of social identity and belonging in Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter, focusing on the experiences of Larry Ott and Silas Jones.

Larry's Struggle for Acceptance

Larry, despite being white, is not accepted by his white peers due to his different interests and personality:

• He struggles to connect with others because of his divergent interests
• His preference for reading and lack of interest in sports set him apart
• Other white boys avoid close association with him to prevent social exclusion
• Larry's brief popularity on Halloween when wearing a zombie mask gives him a taste of acceptance

Example: Larry's experience with the zombie mask illustrates how his true self is rejected by his peers, while a disguised version of himself is momentarily accepted, highlighting the painful irony of his social situation.

Larry's Continued Isolation

Larry's social isolation persists into adulthood:

• He is ostracized by the local population
• His repair shop has very few customers

Highlight: The lack of customers at Larry's shop serves as a tangible representation of his continued social exclusion in the community.

Silas's Contrasting Experience

In contrast to Larry, Silas has a strong sense of identity and is well-accepted in the community:

• He has talents in sports
• Maintains a romantic relationship
• Holds a responsible job as the town's constable
• Is respected by others in the community

The Complexity of Their Relationship

The relationship between Larry and Silas is complicated by their shared history:

• It is difficult for Silas to accept Larry as his brother
• Silas's feelings about their connection are ambiguous

Quote: "It is hard for Silas to accept Larry as his brother; his feelings about it are ambiguous."

This ambiguity in their relationship reflects the broader themes of racial tension and the complexities of social belonging explored in Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter.

Page 1: Recurring Motifs in Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter

This page outlines key symbolic elements that appear throughout the novel, providing depth and thematic resonance to the narrative.

Snakes as Symbols of Danger

Snakes feature prominently in the story, often associated with peril and unease:

• A snake appears in Irina's mailbox
• Larry brings snakes to school to impress others
• Larry and Silas catch snakes, with Silas learning from Larry
• Wallace keeps snakes at his house and sends one to Irina's roommate
• A snake is found near Silas's body after being shot by Wallace

Highlight: The recurring snake motif underscores the ever-present danger and tension in the characters' lives.

Guns as Tools of Power and Protection

Firearms play a significant role in the story, representing both threat and security:

• Larry is found shot, holding a gun he didn't own
• Silas, as a constable, carries a gun but has never used it
• Carl owns multiple firearms, which is common in the area
• Larry teaches Silas how to use a rifle
• Carl makes the boys fight for gun ownership
• Larry receives an anonymous gun as a Christmas gift for protection
• The gun is ultimately used to shoot Larry

Example: The gun given to Larry as protection ironically becomes the weapon used against him, illustrating the complex relationship between safety and danger in the novel.

Books as Escape and Connection

Literature serves as a crucial element in Larry's life and his relationship with others:

• Larry is often seen reading, earning him the label of "momma's boy"
• He first connects with Silas through their shared interest in books
• Larry's house is filled with books
• Reading provides Larry with a form of escape from his isolation

Quote: "Books have always been a form of escape for Larry."