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Thwack
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The Night Watchman, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Power, Solidarity, and Community Action
Oppression and Supposed Good Intentions
Humor and Pain
Sex, Violence, and Gender
Agency and Exploitation
Summary
Analysis
Since the Homecoming weekend, Patrice has noticed Doris and Valentine whispering to each other about something they won’t tell her. Valentine says that “he” kissed us. When Valentine asks Patrice if she’s going to ask who “he” is, Patrice says, “Barnes?” Valentine asks if Barnes told her, and Patrice, feeling mischievous, says that he did. Patrice, for her part, doesn’t care either way. She certainly doesn’t care about Barnes. The only person she’s jealous of is Wood Mountain because the baby smiles at him when those smiles should belong to her. Meanwhile, because of upcoming visits from the higher-ups, Mr. Vold has taken away coffee breaks at work.
In contrast to Wood Mountain now, or Barnes before, Patrice isn’t tormented by her romantic feelings. The only jealousy she harbors comes from wishing Vera’s baby was as affectionate with her as he is with Wood Mountain. At the jewel bearing plant, Mr. Vold has exercised his authority to unilaterally take away coffee breaks without any apparent regard for how it will impact the people who work at the plant.
Themes
As she walks down the path home, Patrice sees that Wood Mountain is visiting the baby again. He asks Patrice if she thinks the baby needs a warm bag and a cradle board. Patrice says yes, he does, and Wood Mountain offhandedly says he can make it. Patrice agrees in the same offhanded way, though both are aware that it’s a big deal to make the cradle board. Normally, it’s the father who makes the cradle board. Patrice asks him if he’s heard anything from Bernadette about Vera. He says he hasn’t but that he remembers Bernadette saying that Vera was in the “hold,” meaning the hold of a ship. When Patrice doesn’t quite understand, Wood Mountain says that ships are filled with men.
Though under no obligation, legal or social or otherwise, Wood Mountain begins to step even more firmly into his role as the baby’s father, showing how strong and meaningful the bonds of care and community can be. At the same time, he puts together information he heard from Bernadette and begins to get an idea of the exploitation and subjugation that Vera is experiencing.
Themes
