Gordon's Conflict with His Parents' Neglect

Gordon's internal struggle with feeling unloved and unseen by his parents, and his journey to find his own voice.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

The Invisible Boy

The Invisible Boy The Neglect Gordon's parents are so consumed by grief over Dennis's death that they barely acknowledge Gordon. He feels like a ghost in his own home. The neglect is not abusive, but it is deeply damaging. The Coping Mechanism Gordon turns to writing as a way to be heard. His stories are a cry for attention, but they also give him a sense of control. He creates worlds where he is the center, a stark contrast to his real life. The Resentment Gordon resents his parents' neglect, but he also understands their pain. He later channels this resentment into his writing. The experience teaches him that love can be blind and that the most important things are the hardest to say.

The Return Home

The Return Home The Empty House Gordon returns home to find his mother in the kitchen, smoking a cigarette and talking about Dennis. She barely acknowledges Gordon's absence. He feels invisible again. The Conversation His mother talks about missing Dennis in the mornings. Gordon responds with a sarcastic 'Yeah, that's a bitch,' but she doesn't hear him. The moment encapsulates his isolation. The Decision Gordon decides that he will not let his parents' neglect define him. He will become a writer and make his own mark on the world. The trip has given him a sense of purpose and a story to tell.

Throughout childhood, especially after Dennis's death

Sunday morning, after the trip