Chapter 17 (Chapter Sixteen) – Before: Tom’s Nightmare and a Violent Confrontation
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Summary (Complete and Chronological)
The chapter opens with Tom waking from a nightmare about his girlfriend, Daisy. In the dream, Daisy accidentally slices off her hand while cutting vegetables, and Tom, at her urging, severs her other hand to make her “symmetrical.” Tom reflects that he has violent dreams about Daisy three or four times a week—dreams in which he stabs, strangles, or drowns her. He always wakes relieved that he hasn’t actually hurt her.
That relief is cut short by the sound of his mother screaming downstairs. Tom rushes to the kitchen, where he finds his father, Bill, shouting at and physically abusing his mother, Luann. Bill throws dishes and taunts her. Tom grabs a fire poker and threatens his father, but Bill easily disarms him, jabs the poker into Tom’s stomach, and forces him to back down. Tom’s mother begs Bill to stop, but she is shoved aside. Ultimately, Tom agrees to stay out of it, vowing internally not to let his father kill his mother—one day he will stop him.
Key Events
- Tom has a violent nightmare about cutting off Daisy’s hands.
- He wakes to his mother’s screams and goes downstairs.
- Tom witnesses his father verbally and physically abusing his mother.
- Tom arms himself with a fire poker to protect her.
- His father disarms him and stabs him with the poker, drawing blood.
- Tom’s mother pleads for him to stay out of it; Tom relents.
- Tom submits but secretly resolves to prevent his father from killing his mother.
Character Development
- Tom: The chapter reveals Tom’s deeply troubled psyche. He suffers from recurrent violent dreams about harming Daisy, suggesting a dangerous inner conflict. His willingness to confront his abusive father shows bravery, but his hesitation and ultimate submission highlight his vulnerability. His troubled home life may explain his later obsessive and violent tendencies.
- Bill (Tom’s father): Portrayed as a drunken, domineering abuser who belittles his wife and son. He uses physical intimidation and has no remorse.
- Luann (Tom’s mother): A victim of domestic abuse who tries to protect Tom by urging him to stay away, but she is powerless against her husband.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Domestic violence and powerlessness: The chapter starkly depicts the cycle of abuse. Tom’s mother is cowed, and Tom himself is overpowered when he tries to intervene.
- Violent dreams as foreshadowing: Tom’s nightmare about mutilating Daisy suggests that his dark impulses are not limited to his father—they may later be directed at Daisy.
- Weapons and control: The fire poker symbolizes the potential for violence and the shift of power. Tom seizes it to gain control, but his father takes it and turns it against him.
- Symmetry / Unevenness: In the dream, Daisy demands that Tom cut off her other hand to make her “symmetrical.” This bizarre logic echoes Tom’s own sense of imbalance and desire to “even things out” with his father.
Why This Chapter Matters
This flashback chapter provides essential backstory for Tom’s character. It explains the origins of his violent impulses and his strained relationship with his father. Tom’s nightmares about Daisy are a clear warning sign, foreshadowing the harm he may cause her. The chapter deepens the mystery of Tom’s past and raises the stakes for the present-day narrative, where Daisy’s safety may be in jeopardy.
Study Questions and Answers
1. What does Tom’s nightmare about Daisy reveal about his mental state?
Tom’s dream, in which he calmly cuts off Daisy’s hands, shows that he harbors deeply violent fantasies about his girlfriend. He has regular nightmares of hurting her, indicating a dangerous split between his conscious love for Daisy and subconscious aggression.
2. How does the confrontation with his father shape Tom’s character?
Tom tries to protect his mother but fails because his father is physically stronger and more ruthless. The encounter leaves Tom humiliated, injured, and determined to eventually stop his father. This experience likely contributes to Tom’s later need for control and his willingness to use violence.
3. Why does Tom’s mother urge him to stay out of the fight?
Luann knows from experience that Bill is unpredictable and dangerous. She tries to shield Tom from further harm, even if it means enduring abuse herself. Her plea reflects the cycle of victimhood and her misguided hope that compliance will keep her son safe.