Chapter 16 Summary

Once when he was seven, Thomas spent an entire afternoon carving a boat for his father in remembrance of a day when Roland took his son to sail miniature boats. Thomas hopes the boat will make his father proud of him. However, Thomas presents the boat to his father on the same day Peter has done a particularly good job with his bowmanship. Roland is praising Peter when Thomas comes into the room. After Thomas presents him with the boat, Roland attempts to be gracious regarding the boat, but he is so excited by Peter's accomplishment his enthusiasm overshadows Thomas's efforts. The next day, so saddened by his father's lack of enthusiasm for his gift, Thomas stones a dog to death. No one sees Thomas, except Flagg, who sees it as a sign that Thomas will work well in his future plans.

Chapter 16 Analysis