Found Family vs. Biological Family in Wild Side: A Thematic Analysis

Defining the Thematic Claim

In Wild Side, Elsie Silver constructs a nuanced argument about family: the bonds of blood do not guarantee support, while relationships built on conscious choice and mutual care can create a more resilient, loving family than biology alone. Through Rhys Dupris—a former foster child with no biological ties to anyone in the story—and Tabitha Garrison, whose biological family has fractured under the strain of addiction and estrangement, the novel shows that found family can heal wounds that biological family sometimes creates. The central claim is not that blood ties are worthless, but that they must be actively nurtured to matter, and that chosen family often fills the gaps when biological relationships fail.

Tracing the Theme Across the Plot

Part 1: The Clash of Guardianship and Trust

The theme first surfaces as a conflict between Rhys and Tabitha over Milo’s future. Rhys, appointed as Milo’s guardian by Erika’s will, initially views himself as the rightful protector. However, his distrust of Tabitha stems from Erika’s lies—specifically that Tabitha was uninvolved. When Tabitha reveals she has been the bridge between Milo and his grandparents, Rhys must confront that his understanding of family was incomplete. In Chapter 12, he admits, “All I know is that the stories your sister told me don’t fit with what I’ve seen today.” He also learns that Tabitha has a room for Milo in her home and that she paid for Erika’s rehab. This confrontation dismantles the binary of “biological” versus “legal” family, suggesting that Tabitha’s sustained, sacrificial love makes her more of a family to Milo than a legal guardian he barely knows.

Part 2: Accepting Chosen Family Through Shared Vulnerability

As Rhys and Tabitha lower their defenses, they each extend their own circle of chosen family. Tabitha reads Erika’s journals in Chapter 33 and gains a compassionate understanding of her sister’s struggles, accepting that love and failure can coexist. Meanwhile, Rhys chooses to reveal his professional wrestling career to Tabitha’s parents during a family dinner (Chapter 41). Though they are biological strangers to him, they respond by calling him an honorary Garrison. Paul says, “You’ve got the heart of one,” and insists on watching his matches. Rhys, who grew up without a stable family, feels “like I’m part of the family” despite none of them being “perfect.” This scene directly challenges traditional family notions: the Garrisons are imperfect (they cut off Erika), yet they actively choose to embrace Rhys. The biological father figure becomes a chosen father figure, and Rhys’ acceptance shows that family can be created through intentional welcome, not just blood.

Part 3: The Final Symbol of a United Found Family

The culminating scene in Chapter 51 brings the theme to full resolution. Tabitha releases Erika’s ashes on the mountainside, speaking to her sister: “Look what you left me with”—Milo and Rhys. She calls them “my boys.” Rhys, Milo, and Tabitha then lie together under the clouds, with Milo seeing a cloud shaped like hooked fingers and Rhys linking pinkies with Tabitha. The pinky promise, which earlier symbolized a fragile trust between Rhys and Tabitha, now becomes the binding symbol of their chosen family. They fall asleep “together,” a word that marks the formation of a new kin group. This moment shows that found family is not a substitute for loss but a testament to survival: Erika is gone, yet her son and sister have built a family with a man who was once a stranger.

Character and Symbol Connections

Character: Rhys Dupris
Rhys embodies the orphan experience. Having no biological family, he initially tries to control Milo’s guardianship through legal means rather than emotional connection. His journey is about learning to trust that chosen family can be stable. When he accepts Tabitha’s love and her parents’ welcome, he transforms from a isolated man into a partner and father figure.

Character: Tabitha Garrison
Tabitha is the guardian of biological ties: she maintained the bridge between Milo and his grandparents despite her own resentment. Her theme arc moves from defending biological family (pushing Rhys away) to embracing Rhys as part of her family, even acknowledging that “life is all just shades of gray” and that no one is perfect.

Symbol: The Pinky Promise
The pinky promise appears in Chapter 1 when Tabitha extracts a promise from Rhys to call her about Erika’s medication. It reappears in Chapter 51 as Rhys links pinkies with Tabitha while they sleep. This symbol evolves from a tool of obligation to a ritual of belonging. A pinky promise, an arbitrary gesture, becomes the seal of a bond stronger than blood because it is chosen.

Symbol: The Caterpillar and Cat-Whiskers Flowers
In Chapter 6, Tabitha helps Milo gently hold a caterpillar. She treats Milo with respect and tenderness. The caterpillar, a creature that transforms, mirrors Tabitha and Rhys’ transformation from adversaries into a family. The cat-whiskers flowers (named after Milo’s phrase) appear in the mountain setting where they find peace, tying the natural world to their growth.

Symbol: Erika the Plant
Erika’s aloe plant, left with Tabitha, becomes a living memorial. In Chapter 33, Tabitha talks to it: “I know, I know” she mutters, treating it like a stand-in for her sister. The plant represents the ongoing presence of biological family even after death, but it is Tabitha’s care that keeps it alive—much like she sustains Milo’s connection to Erika. The plant is a biological remnant nurtured by a chosen caregiver.

Complexity and Contradiction

The novel does not simplistically praise found family at the expense of biological family. It acknowledges deep love within biological ties: Tabitha loved Erika fiercely, and Erika loved her son. However, biological family can also cause harm. Erika’s parents cut her off after she stole their wedding rings; Tabitha admits she understands their decision but also holds it against them. The theme suggests that blood alone is insufficient when trust is broken. At the same time, found family is not automatically perfect. Rhys and Tabitha’s relationship begins with suspicion and conflict. They must work through pain to build trust. The novel also shows that biological family can become chosen family: Tabitha’s parents welcome Rhys as a son, redefining their own family circle. The contradiction is that both types of family require the same elements: commitment, forgiveness, and active participation. Blood gives no guarantee; choice requires effort. In the end, the story affirms that any family—biological or found— is legitimate if it provides love and stability.

Study Questions and Answers

1. How does Rhys’ background as a former foster child inform his understanding of family?
Rhys has no experience of stable biological family. His initial approach to Milo is legalistic because he lacks a model for emotional belonging. Through Tabitha and her parents, he learns that family is not about DNA but about being seen and accepted. His journey from isolation to belonging highlights that found family can fill the void left by absent or failed biological ties.

2. In what way does Tabitha’s role as “the bridge” between Milo and his grandparents complicate the theme?
Tabitha actively maintains a connection that biology alone could not sustain. Her parents had cut off Erika, but Tabitha brokered a relationship for Milo’s sake. This shows that biological family needs a mediator when trust is broken, and that family bonds can be repaired through the effort of a third party. It also suggests that Tabitha ultimately becomes the family she worked to preserve.

3. How does the pinky promise symbol evolve from a tool of distrust to a symbol of family?
Initially, Tabitha uses the pinky promise to hold Rhys accountable, reflecting her distrust of his motives. By the end, Rhys initiates the pinky link while they sleep, turning it into a gesture of unity. The evolution mirrors their relationship: what began as a wary pact becomes a symbol of voluntarily chosen commitment.

4. What role does Erika’s journal play in Tabitha’s acceptance of found family?
Reading the journals humanizes Erika’s struggles and shows that Erika appreciated Tabitha despite their difficult history. The journals also reveal that Erika had a crush on Rhys, but Tabitha learns he was never romantically involved with her sister. This knowledge frees Tabitha to trust Rhys fully, allowing her to accept him as a partner and co-parent.

5. Does the novel suggest that biological family is ultimately unnecessary? Support your answer.
No. The novel values biological family but recognizes it is not always sufficient. Erika’s parents, despite their flaws, eventually embrace Rhys. Milo’s grandparents remain in his life. Tabitha keeps Erika’s plant and releases her ashes with love. The story does not discard blood ties; it expands the definition of family to include chosen members. The final image is of a group that includes Rhys (chosen), Milo (biological connection to Erika), and Tabitha (biological aunt). The message is that both kinds of family can coexist and strengthen each other.