comment on theme

After losing her arm following a shark attack, Jane is understandably depressed. This depression is amplified by the fact that she is in constant pain, and can no longer draw or cook since she lost her dominant hand. Evidence of her depression floods the narrative. She hates receiving pity from strangers who have heard about her story, and she is disgusted when Mom says things will be better after Jane goes home. Jane yields to her sadness when Mel tells her that allowing herself to be as sad as she wants will help her heal quicker. Jane is tormented by nightmares of losing her arm, and she feels she is the weak link in "Team Play" since she cannot seem to do anything normal. She does not feel comfortable with her group of friends because she has so obviously changed, and moreover, she wishes everyone would leave her alone. Jane refuses to try to draw or to read. When it is time for her to leave the hospital, Jane is afraid to go home because she knows she will not fit in on the outside as she does in the hospital where people are paid to care for people like her.