Fire

Fire is a common theme in the book, and it ties much of the plot together. The passages that preface each section concern fire. Brian is a firefighter. Jesse sets fires. Kate's illness can be compared to a fire because it is out of control and destroys everything in its path. Anna compares her initiating the lawsuit to fire. Brian says a fire should be allowed to burn unchecked. He is referring to Kate's illness in that they should let it run its course without interference. He uses fire to make points in conversations with his coworkers. Brain connects fire to the story of Pandora 's Box and hope. Hope is what he has left as Kate's father. He is trying to put out the home fires, which include Kate's illness, Anna's lawsuit, Sara's stubbornness, and Jesse's troubles. Julia puts out the fire Brian starts in the kitchen...