Crow Lake Novel by Mary Lawson: Theme of Guilt

Mary Lawson carries a definite theme of guilt in her debut novel Crow Lake. She shows how guilt can have a huge impact on the relationship we have with others. This is demonstrated three ways in the novel: community guilt in regards to the problematic Pye family, the guilt Aunt Annie has in connection with her brother’s orphaned children, and finally with Kate’s relationship with Matt.

Let’s consider the first appearance of guilt. In the town of Crow Lake it was widely known the Pye’s had serious issues with family violence. This is proven in how Mrs. Vernon tells Kate about the history of the Pye family. Explaining that generation after generation all but one boy runs away because of the abuse they receive from their father. This is situation with the current generation of the Pye family. Mr. Pye blatantly abuses his son Laurie Pye on a regular basis. In fact, Luke and Matt often comment on how badly Laurie is treated at home. They feel is wrong but say nothing about it to anyone. Kate is also a witness of this violence, she has seen the scars and bruises that Laurie carries after he is involved in a school fight. In a tragic turn of events, Laurie dies at the hands of the uncontrolled Mr. Pye. Kate feels that the whole community bears responsibility of this tragic outcome. For if someone had spoken out or tried in some way to reach out and help them than Laurie’s death could have been prevented.

The second appearance of guilt comes in the form of Aunt Annie. Aunt Annie arrives in Crow Lake to care for her brother’s orphaned children: Luke, Matt, Kate, and Bo. She feels a personal responsibility to take care of these children in repayment of her brother’s financial help to sustain the family farm. However, this causes her to feel guilt because she isn’t able to do much as she would like. In fact, the only way she can take care of them is to separate them. When Luke decides to take responsibility for his brother and sister, it does not ease her feelings of...