Rob’s School Exile

The Tiger Rising

Rob’s rash first offers him escape from school, then gradually loses its power to define his choices.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

A Rash He Ignores A Rash He Ignores from "The Tiger Rising". A Rash He Ignores Visible Distress Rob’s itchy blisters snake down his legs and into his shoes.

A Rash He Ignores from "The Tiger Rising". A Rash He Ignores Visible Distress Rob’s itchy blisters snake down his legs and into his shoes.

A Rash He Ignores Visible Distress Rob’s itchy blisters snake down his legs and into his shoes. His father advises him not to think about the irritation, echoing the household habit of avoiding painful subjects. An Unnoticed Signal Rob directs his attention toward the tiger instead. The rash remains an outward sign of distress that neither he nor his father is ready to understand.

A Convenient Excuse A Convenient Excuse from "The Tiger Rising". A Convenient Excuse The Principal’s Concern Mr. Phelmer says parents fear Rob’s rash may be contagious and suggests he stay home.

A Convenient Excuse from "The Tiger Rising". A Convenient Excuse The Principal’s Concern Mr. Phelmer says parents fear Rob’s rash may be contagious and suggests he stay home.

A Convenient Excuse The Principal’s Concern Mr. Phelmer says parents fear Rob’s rash may be contagious and suggests he stay home. Rob knows the condition will not clear up, but accepts the proposal without protest. Escape From School The note means he can avoid Norton and Billy and the strain of returning each day. For a moment, illness appears to offer freedom rather than a problem to solve.

Work at the Motel Work at the Motel from "The Tiger Rising". Work at the Motel A New Routine Rob’s father puts him to work at the Kentucky Star Motel, and Rob sweeps and helps Willie May with laundry.

Work at the Motel from "The Tiger Rising". Work at the Motel A New Routine Rob’s father puts him to work at the Kentucky Star Motel, and Rob sweeps and helps Willie May with laundry.

Work at the Motel A New Routine Rob’s father puts him to work at the Kentucky Star Motel, and Rob sweeps and helps Willie May with laundry. His days now follow adult labor rather than school lessons. A Different Kind of Attention Willie May challenges his assumption that staying away from school is harmless. Her frank warning makes his future feel larger than the immediate comfort of avoiding classmates.

A Return Becomes Possible A Return Becomes Possible from "The Tiger Rising". A Return Becomes Possible The Father’s Decision Rob’s father says he will call the principal and send Rob back to school on Monday.

A Return Becomes Possible from "The Tiger Rising". A Return Becomes Possible The Father’s Decision Rob’s father says he will call the principal and send Rob back to school on Monday.

A Return Becomes Possible The Father’s Decision Rob’s father says he will call the principal and send Rob back to school on Monday. He stops treating the rash as a reason to postpone the decision indefinitely. Changed Motivation Rob accepts the return because Sistine will be there. School remains difficult, but his connection to another person changes what going back means.

Facing the School Again Facing the School Again from "The Tiger Rising". Facing the School Again No Longer Hiding Rob’s planned return marks a change from treating absence as permanent escape.

Facing the School Again from "The Tiger Rising". Facing the School Again No Longer Hiding Rob’s planned return marks a change from treating absence as permanent escape.

Facing the School Again No Longer Hiding Rob’s planned return marks a change from treating absence as permanent escape. The tiger’s death and the grief he has finally expressed have altered his sense of what he can face. A Social Anchor Sistine’s presence makes the school less isolating, even though the novel does not promise that bullying will disappear. Rob’s choice to return is small but significant evidence of renewed engagement.

the morning after the discovery

during the first day at school

the morning after his school absence

after the tiger’s funeral

the Monday after the funeral