Correspondence (Letters and Emails)

The correspondence that the characters offer to each other, whether in the form of letters or emails, represents the safest way that these often-troubled people can communicate with each other. Their different means of correspondence are the primary, structure-defining manifestation of the book's central thematic consideration of developing connection; they are the only way that the estranged members of the Rosenmerck family can connect at all. At the same time as he keeps his family at arm's length, Harry applies his need to maintain a safe distance from the people with whom he has difficulty to the development of his relationship with Rabbi Moshe Cattan which is, initially, also developed only through correspondence.

Writing

Other forms of writing, such as David's plays, also represent important, almost essential means of communication for the characters. Writing also represents ways in which the characters can communicate...