Forgiveness and Moving on from the Past

Forgiveness and letting go of the past are topics that are very closely, even if subtly, linked to Karen's book's purpose of giving Jacob advice for the future. Karen finds herself on the giving and receiving ends of forgiveness at different points in the novel. Perhaps the most notable instance of this theme is in how Karen decides to put her own desires and fears aside in favor of Jacob's needs, and lets Dave be a bigger part of Jacob's life. She realizes that she is not going to be around for much longer and acknowledges that Jacob will need more support after she is gone. She manages to put her pride aside so that Jacob can have a relationship with his father even though it is very difficult for Karen. In doing so, and in writing about it in...