Content Warning: This section of the guide discusses the novel’s treatment of death and grief, sexual abuse, physical abuse, and gun violence.

The novel portrays the dangers of self-isolation and withdrawal from others. While open communication is difficult because characters are unwilling to confront their worst fears about themselves, it also promotes important systems of support.

Dickie is a prime example of this theme. Dickie represses his sexuality even to himself. Dickie is attracted to men and the great love of his life was a man, but he stops himself from living authentically by keeping his relationship with Willie a secret and even preventing himself from thinking about it because he doesn’t believe he deserves to be happy.

As a young man, Dickie mistrusts his family, which has not provided him with a safe environment. Even when he faces physical danger, he cannot be honest about what has happened. Rather than telling the truth about how he got so badly injured in Dublin—that a man he had sex with physically assaulted him, nearly killing him—Dickie lies about being hit by a bus. Likewise, Dickie is not honest with his father about not wanting to take over the dealership. Having internalized this approach to hiding his truth, Dickie continues his secret-keeping into adulthood.