Metamorphosis

The theme of metamorphosis is put into place by the main science project the children are working on: the butterfly project. The children spend almost the entirety of the fall searching for elusive butterflies and eventually, Jake has the great idea of capturing caterpillars to watch them build their chrysalises and transform into beautiful butterflies. When the butterflies emerge, everyone comments on how ugly they are and that they don't look like butterflies at all, but given time, they pump up their wings and take flight. Similarly, when Jake arrives at the Applewhite home, some of the family members - most notably E.D. - don't think he is much to look at. He has unattractively dyed hair gelled into spikes and wears tough-looking black clothing. He has a bad attitude, foul language, and no desire to become a part of the Applewhite clan. In time, however, he...