This motif repeats throughout the book as a habit of Matt’s. He cannot help but close his eyes when he becomes “truly terrified” (100). Matt shuts his eyes as the rowboat transports the group back in time, and he hears sounds in their new “when” before he sees any of their surroundings. The moment after he realizes that they have ended up in a wartime era, he closes his eyes and makes a wish to go home. He closes his eyes again when confronted with the fierce-looking Native American boys, and again when his plan to steal the Hessian’s muskets and rescue Katie and Q results in failure.

This motif supports the theme of duty and responsibility. Each time we see Matt closing his eyes in denial or escapism, he avoids responsibility. This is especially true when, instead of overtaking the Hessians and rescuing Katie and Q, the Hessians capture Matt, Hooter, and Tony. The plan to sneak in and take over was entirely Matt’s idea, and yet he quickly closes his eyes to the new conflict his plan causes.

On a more symbolic level, Matt initially “closes his eyes” to the possibility that Katie might know something helpful in their search for the rowboat.