All We Ever Wanted

“At first glance, all I saw was a girl lying on her back on a bed, mostly dressed or at least far from naked, and I felt a small wave of relief. But as I peered more closely, I saw the details.”

During this moment, Nina undergoes several different emotions in a short time. Although she tries to feel relieved at the fact that Lyla is not completely naked in the picture, Giffin shows the gravity of the situation. There is an element of suspense that propels the reader forward, created by the mystery of the photo.

“‘I’m a carpenter,’ I said, staring down at my thumbs as I tapped them on the bar. I braced myself for that look.”

As a young man, Tom felt insecure about his economic status. This contrasts with his viewpoint later in life, when he is not ashamed of his career choice. In the above quote, Tom reflects on his younger self and depicts how it affected his dating life. The quote also provides details about how Tom and Beatriz’s relationship developed, providing context to their toxic marriage later on.

“Kirk really didn’t like to be told what to do, a trait that had become more extreme over the years. It was probably a function of getting older—I think we all become exaggerated versions of ourselves, and Kirk had always been independent and strong-willed.”

Nina’s view of Kirk illustrates his selfish behavior even if she does not realize it in the moment. This is an example of dramatic irony, where the reader is privy to information that a character is not.

Giffin characterizes Kirk through the perspective of others, and Nina provides both a realistic yet biased look at her husband. She defines Kirk as being selfish while also justifying his behaviors despite how harmful they are to others.

“My insides clenched as I listened to my son follow his father’s lead and skew the truth—no, flat-out lie—and noted that he’d yet to utter the word sorry.”

This is one of the first times Nina recognizes that her son manipulates the truth just like Kirk for his own gain, and signifies that she has begun growing as a character. This moment foreshadows Kirk and Finch’s decision to lie about the photograph, the concert, and the spray paint on Tom’s porch.

“And the caption about the green card, which was so rude to immigrants. It made me think of the Slayed family […] who were just about the nicest people you could ever imagine.”

In this moment, Lyla has been reflecting on the picture that was taken of her the night prior. She finds herself fixating on the racist comment and its ignorance. As a young teen, Lyla demonstrates a nuanced understanding of immigration and racism that privileged teenagers like Finch do not.

“I could tell in that moment that she had completely shut down, and that she wouldn’t be talking to me anytime soon. I had grown accustomed to the silent treatment over the past year or so, and I actually didn’t hate her tactic.”

Throughout the novel, Giffin illustrates the strained relationship between Tom and Lyla that existed even before the conflict with Finch. This moment provides insight into their internal selves before their relationship shifts and they become close.

“I shuddered to think what their gas bill must be, let alone their mortgage—then reminded myself that people like this probably didn’t have a mortgage.”

When Tom arrives at the Browning home, he focuses on the extravagant nature of their house. His commentary on their mortgage highlights the privilege some have over others. In this moment, Giffin makes note of the very different lifestyles between people in different economic classes and how the struggles of one group are not even on the minds of others.

“I thought of an earlier childhood crisis, when Finch and another boy had dipped the ears of a neighbor’s cocker spaniel puppy in blue paint. He denied it, despite overwhelming proof to the contrary.”

Here, Nina’s reflection of the past illuminates Finch’s behaviors in the present. The novel doesn’t include Finch’s first-person viewpoint, and Giffin uses Nina’s perspective to characterize him.

“I stared back at him, my thoughts scattering and racing. A very small, guilty part of me was relieved that Lyla’s father had been complicit. Besides, what choice did I have? I couldn’t make him give us back the money.”

Nina feels contempt for Kirk’s display of wealth and attempt at buying off Tom. At the same time, she is relieved that Tom may not seek punishment through the school. This moment indicates an internal battle within Nina: She wants Finch to face the consequences without sacrificing his future at Princeton.

“I’ve always considered myself lucky that I could mostly earn a living by doing what I love, but a bonus has been the sheer escape that comes with woodworking.”

Tom’s high self-esteem in the present contrasts with the insecurity he felt as a young man about being a carpenter, implying a development in his self-confidence. Later in life, Tom expresses positive emotions and thinking regarding his career. Giffin utilizes this moment to illustrate the independent nature of his character.

“‘Mulatto? I haven’t heard that in years,’ I said, wondering if it was still politically correct and feeling pretty certain that it was not. She shrugged. ‘Whatever the term is. Mixed? Biracial? I can’t keep it straight. Is she?’”

This moment further explores The Impact of Privilege and Social Class. During her conversation with Melanie, Giffin depicts the privilege Melanie has and how this allows her to stay ignorant about people who aren’t white. Melanie glosses over whether she used a derogatory term, as if it—and Lyla—do not matter.

“But mom’s over-the-top sucking shouldn’t give Dad extra credit for doing the same basic job that everyone else’s parents were doing. I honestly couldn’t believe I’d never thought to make the point before and couldn’t wait to lay it on him, but I couldn’t make myself get up.”

This moment reveals the inner world of Lyla and how she thinks about her parents’ marriage. As a teenager, Lyla has grievances with her father. Her reflection on them illustrates a typical teenager’s response.

 In the novel, a character’s inner monologue develops their characterization. Here, Giffin uses a teenager’s voice to render a realistic portrayal, such as with “mom’s over-the-top sucking.”

“I think there’s a difference between trying to be a dick and simply making a stupid, bad joke, especially when you’re drunk. At least that’s what I’ve been telling myself. It was what I wanted to believe. Needed to believe.”

Lyla attempts to rationalize the caption Finch posted on his Snapchat post with her picture. Her justification leads to her forgiving Finch for his actions rather than focusing on the impact of them. Giffin illustrates an internal conflict within Lyla, which is similar to Nina’s internal conflict, as she attempts to reconcile with injustice.

“I told myself that her age or beauty was irrelevant. Unfaithful was unfaithful. Maybe someone my age or older who had real substance and life experience and significant accomplishments might actually hurt worse.”

Nina is confronted with the possibility that Kirk is cheating on her, and struggles to reconcile with what that will mean for herself and their future. Her conflict deepens; her reality not only includes Finch’s actions but her husband’s infidelity as well. Her worry that the other woman may be more beautiful or more accomplished illustrates her own insecurities.

“But in that quiet moment in Kirk’s office waiting for our son to return from a concert with a girl he had mistreated and maybe even manipulated, I felt in my bones that my marriage was over. I wanted a divorce. I was done. So done.”

Nina feels clarity when she discovers that Finch has lied and went behind her back to get concert tickets after she said no. It also illustrates Finch’s character further. He has lied to his mom about not asking Lyla out until the hearing. Nina feels manipulated and deceived by her family, deepening her internal conflict even further.

“It’s not your fault. It’s her fault. She’s a psycho coming over here like this. And why are we hiding? This is my house.”

Polly arrives at Finch’s house after he has sex with Lyla. Finch’s tone in this moment indicates that he may be manipulating both Polly and Lyla. He is defensive and aggressive, which further characterizes him as being selfish and cocky. Giffin illustrates how Lyla and Polly do not know the full story of his deceit. Finch creates conflict between the two girls for his own benefit.

“In a million years I would never have imagined sitting on my parents’ porch with Teddy, twenty-some years later, telling him how I was raped.”

After deciding to divorce Kirk, Nina envisions what her life could look like outside of her marriage, and begins to reflect further about her sexual assault in college. This allows her to reconcile with her own past while attempting to find justice for Lyla. This is a pivotal moment in which Nina prioritizes her own moral integrity over Kirk’s pressures on her to be complacent.

“The only clarity I see is that my daughter is getting victimized left and right and somebody here is lying. Maybe both of them are. Maybe this whole thing is an elaborate plan to make sure no one gets blamed.”

Tom’s anger results from his fear that no one will be punished for hurting his daughter. He is also angry that Polly and Finch’s privilege will allow them to walk away without any repercussions. Tom speaks directly to the impact of privilege and social class. He worries that Lyla will not receive any form of justice.

“Kirk and Finch exchange a fleeting look that causes something inside me to snap.”

Nina realizes that Finch and Kirk have been conspiring together this entire time to ensure that Finch does not get punished or lose his acceptance to Princeton., Nina has been manipulated by them both. A small look between father and son illustrates the intensity of the situation and provides clarity.

“A few minutes after we get home from visiting Dad’s friend Bonnie […] Mrs. Browning shows up at our house. Dad’s back in his bedroom, so I answer the door, feeling reassured to know that he actually has friends.”

Lyla shows compassion for her father, contrasting with her earlier contempt about him reporting the picture. Giffin reveals that Lyla cares for her father and well-being, and portrays her as a selfless and empathetic character.

“Lyla, on the other hand, swings open her door and gets out of the car. I stare at her, marching towards the house, amazed by her bravery.”

When Nina and Lyla arrive at Polly’s house, Nina admires Lyla for her bravery and willingness to come to Polly’s aid. This moment illustrates how much Nina learns from Lyla despite their age difference. The novel implies that behavior and personal integrity are ever-evolving, and that one can learn from others at all points in life. Taking place at the end of the novel, this passage illustrates the developing relationship between Nina and Lyla as they head into the future.

“She talks to me about the dreams that she both had and still has. Dreams I share. She talks about love. And she talks about truth. She talks a lot about truth.”

Here, Lyla looks at Nina similarly to how Nina has viewed Lyla. They learn from each other. Lyla’s tone implies that she looks at Nina as a mother figure. This solidifies their developing relationship.

“‘Because…’ Tom finally says, his voice soft in my ear. ‘Because you’re his mother.’”

Right before Finch’s hearing with the honor board, Tom supports Nina. He addresses her insecurities about having raised Finch to be a liar and abuser. So far, her internal conflict has mostly focused on whether she has failed as a parent, and Tom’s words provide her with solace. Their developing friendship is underscored by trust and honesty, and Giffin utilizes their connection to illustrate the complexities of human relationships.