Saving Winslow

“Until this snowy Saturday morning in January, with the wind plastering the windows with wet flakes, when Louie had awakened feeling floaty, suspended in the air, with something different approaching.”

In addition to the dreary and cold winter weather, Louie has been sad without his older brother Gus who left a year ago to join the army. However, with the arrival of Winslow, the boy feels “different” and “floaty” as if excited and even uplifted by the prospect of caring for an animal. This feeling highlights Louie’s positive mindset and how it bolsters him in a difficult time.

“He’ll stay in the cellar. I can sleep there with him on the cot. Maybe we could have the heater on at night. We need to go to the feedstore and get some hay for him to sleep on and a bottle and some milk formula.”

Louie lays out his plan to care for the donkey. This list of actions is practical and demonstrates not only that Louie is logical in his thinking but also that he is ready to take responsibility. Although he does say “we” and enlist the help of his parents for some of the actions, Louie is holding himself accountable, evident in his decision to sleep in the basement with the animal.

“When Louie was born, he was two months early and weighed only three pounds. He didn’t like to see photos of himself from when he was such a scrawny birdlike thing, hooked up to tubes and housed in an incubator. He looked helpless.”

Louie was born prematurely and needed a tremendous amount of support to survive. Although he avoids pictures of himself from this time, it is a reminder that not everyone, and everything, thrives from the moment they are born. This understanding fuels Louie’s empathy and his drive to help Winslow. By connecting his own experiences to that of the donkey, he can better help the animal.

“But Louie did worry. He feared that he would never find something he was good at or something he was as passionate about as Gus was about sports.”

As he remembers his older brother’s advice to be patient, Louie frets that he will not figure out who he is or what he is good at. This worry is typical as kids contemplate their identity and place in the world. For Louie, his concern arises when he realizes he is not an athlete like his brother, emphasizing how much the boy idolizes Gus.

“You could try it. Maybe. You could set him down on this shoveled part and see what happens. Maybe. If you want. Or not.”

One day, when Louie sits on the porch with Winslow, Nora visits. After she insists that Winslow will not survive, she sees the donkey squirm and suggests that Louie let the animal stand and try to walk. Her suggestion indicates that she cares more for Winslow than she lets on and that she believes he is improving. However, she tries not to let her hope show because she adds several “maybes” and “or not,” which is an attempt to make it seem like she does not care.

“She was wearing her usual outfit and Louie realized he did not have a very good idea what she really looked like because she was always swallowed up in that big coat, and her hat was squashed all the way down on her head.”

This description of Nora as she paces outside Louie’s house paints a picture of how she always dresses the same. However, Louie’s accompanying observation that he does not know what she looks like represents her tendency to hide. Literally, she bundles up in her winter gear which masks her physical features; figuratively, Nora also hides her emotions, often stifling smiles or pretending that she does not like Winslow. Hiding her appearance and emotions is a way for Nora to protect herself from pain or disappointment.

“Louie wanted Winslow to get better immediately. He hated not knowing if he was helping or hurting Winslow. He hated not knowing if Winslow would survive.”

As Louie gets better at administering Winslow’s shots, the boy becomes impatient for positive results. This impatience marks his immaturity, for he wants immediate results even though healing takes time. Furthermore, Louie’s thoughts emphasize one of the difficulties of caregiving: uncertainty. The boy wants to know that he is helping Winslow and that the animal will survive, but there is no guarantee.

“Louie rarely saw Nora at school, but when he did she was often alone, either trailing down the hallway after her classmates or seated by herself at lunch. He hadn’t recognized her at first, without her big coat and hat and boots.”

At school Nora is “often alone,” highlighting her tendency to keep her distance from others. Furthermore, it takes time for Louie to notice her because he is used to seeing her with all her winter gear on. This admission emphasizes how, in addition to being aloof, Nora also hides herself from others, both physically and emotionally, so much so that when in another context, she is barely recognizable.

“‘Try it with Winslow,’ Nora said. ‘Go on. He might like it.’”

After Nora stops by with a collar and a leash for Winslow, she and Louie walk the donkey to the sledding hill. Once there, Nora uncharacteristically encourages Louie to sled with Winslow. This encouragement counters her normally pessimistic outlook, which suggests that both Louie and Winslow are having a positive effect on her. Additionally, she calls Winslow by name instead of saying “thing” or “it.” This change indicates her growing affection for the animal.

“Louie read the letter while lying on Gus’s bed. When he finished, he pretended he was Gus lying there. He kicked off his shoes from the back, like Gus did. He tossed a pillow over at his own bed, like Gus used to do. He regarded Gus’s trophies lined up on the bookcase and Gus’s baseball hats, stained with sweat.”

After reading a letter from Gus, Louie lays down on his brother’s bed and pretends to be like him. By mimicking Gus’s past actions, Louie indicates how much he loves his brother and wants to be like him. Furthermore, Louie’s admiration of Gus’s trophies and sweat-stained hats implies that he views his brother as a role model. As someone who has had success—the trophies—and worked hard for it—the sweat—Gus could help Louie with Winslow.

“Louie could not bear the thought of Winslow leaving. Who would look after him as well as he did? What if Winslow got sick again? What if Winslow thought Louie was abandoning him?”

As Winslow grows, he must stay outside, but neighbors are complaining about the noise the donkey makes. Louie’s worried questions represent the thoughts of many who contemplate the shift away from caretaking. Louie is concerned about what will happen next with Winslow and about the animal’s physical and emotional well-being.

“‘He’s like a little lamb,’ Mack said. ‘He follows you everywhere. He probably thinks you’re his mother.’”

Mack’s observation about Winslow following Louie around indicates just how close of a bond the boy has with the donkey. Furthermore, what Mack suggests—that Winslow thinks Louie is his mother—is the concept of imprinting. This is when a young animal becomes attached to the first thing that shows it attention and affection. For most animals, this attachment is made to its mother; however, with the death of his mother, Winslow’s first connection is made with Louie.

“And so, Louie went in that direction. He was tired now. He could barely breathe, his insides so full of fear and worry and pain. He could not imagine losing Winslow. He did not want to let his thoughts go there.”

While searching for a missing Winslow, Louie is worried and afraid. This passage demonstrates that having a positive, optimistic mindset does not mean that a person does not ever worry or get scared. On the contrary, Louie feels these emotions, but his hope allows him to temper the anxiety. When he tries to avoid letting “his thoughts go there,” he forces himself to carry on in the hopes that all will be well—a strength that helps him overcome difficult situations.

“It was a maddening thing about Nora, and about most people who did not say much. Louie rarely knew what they were thinking or even if they were thinking. Sometimes he wanted to bore a hole in their heads and peer around inside. He felt as if he’d then be able to see what they were thinking. Maybe the words would be written across a large screen in their brains.”

This passage provides characterization of both Nora and Louie. When he finds her with Winslow, Nora tells him very little which frustrates him. Their interaction reinforces Nora’s characterization as a quiet, private person, for in this moment, like many others, she is slow to talk and prefers to sit in silence. Louie’s impatient and frustrated reaction demonstrates his immaturity, for like many young children, he wants answers immediately because he does not like the uncertainty of not knowing.

“Winslow hopped onto a hay bale and then into the air and flung himself against Nora and Louie, hopping and wagging his tail and flicking his ears. He nibbled their sleeves.”

The day after Winslow goes missing, Nora visits and they go to the donkey’s pen. This passage provides a vivid description of the joy Winslow exudes, for his hopping, wagging tail, flicking ears, and nibbling are all signs of contentment. Furthermore, the donkey exhibits these behaviors around Nora and Louie suggesting that the animal has developed an emotional attachment to both kids.

“It was still foggy in the yard, and for a moment, Louie thought that Nora resembled a phantom in her yellow raincoat with the hood over her head.”

While Uncle Pete talks with Louie’s parents inside, Louie peppers Nora with questions about how Winslow got out of his pen. Because he still has not figured out that she took him for a walk, the description of the weather as foggy also symbolizes Louie’s confusion, which is explicitly noted in the title of the chapter. He cannot clearly understand what happened, and so even Nora appears to be a “phantom,” for he still does not grasp her role in Winslow’s disappearance.

“Louie’s father joined them in the pen. ‘We need to talk,’ he said.

Nora said, ‘Uh-oh. Gotta go.’

‘You can stay,’ Louie’s mother said. ‘It’s okay.’

‘No, I don’t like bad news.’

‘Who says it’s bad news?’ Louie asked.”

When Louie’s parents emerge from the house with Uncle Pete, they initiate a conversation about Winslow. The kids’ differing mindsets are highlighted with Nora expecting the worst and Louie questioning why it would be bad news. However, in this case, Nora’s instinct is correct, for his parents are about to suggest that Winslow leave their house. Nora, true to her character thus far, wishes to avoid hearing something difficult.

“That night, Louie lay in Gus’s bed, under the quilt that smelled like his brother. He wanted Gus to come home. He wanted to ask him things.”

After learning that his parents think Winslow should go back to Uncle Pete’s farm, Louie is distraught and looks for comfort in Gus’s bed. He misses his brother’s presence, especially because he longs for support and guidance. With Gus’s absence, Louie is missing an important support in his life, one who offers love and guidance in tough times.

“Nora’s hands were pressed to her cheeks. ‘I don’t know,’ she said. ‘I don’t know if I can do this.’”

Once arriving at Uncle Pete’s farm, Nora is apprehensive. Given her characterization, her hesitation results from the fear of falling in love with the animals. This scares her because she has lost both a baby brother and a dog. However, in the past she would just leave. Because she stays and articulates her uncertainty, Nora demonstrates that she is working through this fear of attachment.

“Nora clapped her hand to her mouth each time she saw a new animal, as if she were trying to keep something inside from escaping. Louie watched her take it all in: the lambs; the tottering calf with its big head and curly fur; the pink squealing piglets. He had never seen Nora so animated.”

Since he has met her, Louie has always puzzled over Nora because she says and reveals so little. However, when they arrive at Uncle Pete’s farm, despite her desire to keep everything inside—evident by her hand over her mouth—Nora shows her delight. Although she fears getting attached to the animals, she loves what she sees, and Louie has not seen this side of her before. This passage highlights the growing relationship between the friends, as well as Nora growing past her fears to embrace the things she loves, specifically animals.

“That night, with the rain came the wind, powerful gusts howling through the trees. Twice Louie checked on Winslow to be sure he was secure and dry in his shelter. Thunder and lightning followed: sudden deep booms that shook the windows and sharp, bright, crackling light that lit up Louie’s bedroom.”

This description of the storm is both symbolic and foreshadowing. The force of the wind, rain, and thunder represents the swirling negative emotions that are building inside of Louie. After visits from animal control and the Board of Health, he is distraught that Winslow will have to leave, and Mrs. Tooley’s crusade against Winslow adds fuel to his frustration. Furthermore, Louie misses Gus and needs his guidance. In addition to the symbolism of the weather, this fearsome storm also foreshadows the fire that will rage in Mrs. Tooley’s house, causing Winslow to bray and screech in his efforts to save the woman and her baby.

“Louie felt as if something had dropped out of his chest, down through his legs and onto the floor. He didn’t want to say anything, but the words came out of his mouth anyway.

‘You need Winslow.’”

After learning that a coyote killed one of the lambs, Louie realizes that Uncle Pete needs Winslow to protect the animals. Even though the boy selfishly does not “want to say anything,” because he acknowledges Winslow’s value on the farm, Louie knows what must be done. His love for the animal is not a reason to keep Winslow. Although this realization is heartbreaking—evident in the feeling in Louie’s chest—the boy knows it is most important for Winslow to protect the farm animals. Louie’s words highlight how much he has matured.

“Earlier that morning, Louie had thought he would feel infinitely sad on this day when he had to leave Winslow at the farm, but instead, as Winslow settled in with the ewe and her newborn lamb, and with news of Gus coming home, Louie felt that everything was as it should be.”

Louie realizes that hard decisions, like letting go of Winslow, can result in contentment too. When he notes that “everything was as it should be,” he acknowledges that sometimes what a person most wants is not always the best option. These words also suggest that things are not always as terrible as one thinks, which is the case with Gus, for he is returning home soon for a visit. Ultimately, the chapter title, “Settling In,” is about Winslow getting comfortable at Uncle Pete’s farm, but it is also about Louie coming to terms with the difficulties of life.