Significance of Migraine Headaches

The migraines experienced by Jacob in his youth are internalized manifestations of external pressure - of being a boy growing up in a house full of professionally sexualized women (i.e. a brothel), of being effeminate in a world defined by rugged definitions of masculinity, and of longing for family that did not have much time for him. His headaches are eased by his mother's sleep mask (which eases his pain-triggering longing for safety), and the presence of his mother (which eases his pain-triggering longing for family).