The Deep End

“We’re ALL going a little nuts, and if things don’t change soon, I think we’re gonna go off the deep end.”

In the opening paragraph of his story, Greg uses two well-known semi-offensive cliches that describe people who are experiencing anxiety or mental health issues. This an example of the novel’s realistic diction. Greg is worried about his family and the effects that living so closely together are having on everyone, including himself, but doesn’t know how to express this with sensitivity yet. The title of the novel is also referenced here, foreshadowing the chaos and high tension that is to follow during the vacation.

“Whenever I feel sorry for myself living in Gramma’s basement with my family, I think about Noah and it makes me feel a little better.”

Greg references stories from the Bible and the Christian idea of God and miracles in his story. His family seems to constantly be in the midst of challenges and hardship, and having faith while also considering how hard things might have been for the people in the Bible makes Greg feel better about his own life and gives him patience to press forward.

“Mom said the whole point of being on a family vacation is to do things TOGETHER. She says that one day us kids are gonna go our separate ways, and time’s running out to make happy memories as a FAMILY. But believe me, for THIS family to make happy memories together, it’s gonna take a MIRACLE.”

Greg’s mother is an eternal optimist and always striving to keep her family together. Appreciating Family is something she tries to instill in her children as well. When Greg writes, he often capitalizes words for emphasis, occasionally to denote