Breakfast at Sally's

829 Words4 Pages
Willow’s Symbolic Connection Breakfast at Sally’s by Richard LeMieux brings attention to the fact that anything in this world can happen, and especially to those who least expect it. Richard strikes us as a once successful businessman with an amazing family, and brilliant future. His businessmen-like lifestyle was portrayed through his family relations along with his luxurious assets such as: his beachfront property, luxury cars, and many boats. These possessions defined Richard in a much closed minded sense The completely new transition of homelessness will broaden Richard’s peripheral views of the hidden images of the homeless community of Bremerton, Washington. In this environment Richard loses everything from his family to his entire finances. With only his dog Willow and his van he is forced to survive the harsh elements of homelessness. The many relationships in the novel develop Richard’s perspective on the community he is now forced to be a part of; however, only one relationship throughout the novel is Richard’s implement on success. Seemingly the most affective character is Willow. Known as “the wonder dog,” Willow brings many positive reinforcements through Richards’s daily life. Willow’s symbolic qualities such as hope, friendship, and loyalty all share beneficial connections to our college experiences. As we progress through the novel we understand that Richard is highly reliant on Willow and his van. A dramatic event in the novel like the scene at the bridge where Richard contemplates suicide is an example of his need for Willow. “I closed the van door and started walking toward the bridge, I told myself not to look back” (23). In his potential last moments the only thing stopping Richard from pursuing death was the idea that he heard Willow‘s cries from inside the van. When Richard comes to this sudden realization, Willow’s symbolism becomes
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