Isolation in Stone Boy

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“Isolation in Stone Boy”
Isolation is a major theme in “Stone Boy” by Gina Berriault, especially with Arnold emotionally and physically, and his family, and society. After Arnold killed his brother a lot changed for him and his family. Physically and emotionally, Arnold would isolate himself from his family and also society. Also both his family and society would isolate themselves from Arnold. After the death of Eugene isolation came into play with all of the characters in the story.
Arnold physically isolated himself from his family and society. For example, Arnold physically isolated himself from his family when he went into the loft. “Arnold went into the barn, down along the foddering passage past the cows waiting to be milked, and climbed into the loft“ (Berriault 3). Arnold also physically isolated himself when he got in the back seat, when he, his father, and his uncle were leaving the Sheriff station. “Arnold went first through the hallway, hearing behind him the heels of his father and Uncle Andy striking the floor boards. He went down the steps ahead of them and climbed into the back seat of the car” (Berriault 6). He also physically isolated himself when he was sitting in the rocking chair with his arms folded and eyes lowered. Arnold isolated himself in the rocking chair because “if he stayed he thought, as he always stayed and listened when visitors came, they would see that he was only Arnold and not the person the Sheriff thought he was. He sat with his arms crossed and his hands tucked into his armpits and did not lift his eyes” (Berriault 7). Arnold physically isolated himself at the end of the story when he went to get the calf. He thought “if he went for the calf he’d be away from the farm all morning” (Berriault 9). Arnold would physically isolate him self by going somewhere to be alone, or doing things physically to try to keep him from his family and society.
Arnold emotiona...