The square

The square is the central hub of Grandpa’s mind and identity, which resembles a town square in certain ways. From a bench in the square, much of the novel occurs as Grandpa and Noah sit and watch Grandpa’s memories and mind slowly falling apart. Each day, the square gets smaller and smaller as Grandpa’s ability to remember diminishes, and Grandpa forgets more and more. In other words, Grandpa’s shrinking memory means his world around his square is also shrinking. The square commands views of important places in Grandpa’s life as well –from the lake to the island to the country road where he and Grandma walk.

The country road

The country road is where the 16-year-old versions of Grandma and Grandpa walk, talk about their love and the past, and talk about the future and Noah. The country road is absolutely beautiful...