All the Dangerous Things

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2023

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Summary

Background

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Prologue-Chapter 11

Chapters 12-23

Chapters 24-36

Chapters 37-49

Chapter 50-Epilogue

Character Analysis

Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Tools

Beta

Discussion Questions

Symbols & Motifs

Sleep and Coffee

Sleep is frequently discussed in All the Dangerous Things. Isabelle experiences two sleep-related conditions: sleepwalking and insomnia. Both are responses to traumatic events but reflect different issues. Isabelle’s sleepwalking is a response to her youngest sister Eloise’s death and her own struggle with maternity. Her body perceives the need for activity even when her mind does not, creating a physical haunting. She perceives her sleepwalking as particularly malignant after younger sister Margaret’s death. Sleep as a source of anxiety is reinforced after Mason’s disappearance; he vanished while Isabelle was asleep, leading her to further distrust her unconscious self. Sleep is thus transformed from a symbol of peace and recuperation into a reflection of dark, subconscious desires. Isabelle only achieves peace upon learning of her innocence in the tragedies of her life. Overall, sleep and lack thereof represent the Nonlinear Nature of Grief and the Longevity of Trauma.

Moreover, coffee is a necessity for the sleep-deprived Isabelle rather than a luxury. She is expansive in her descriptions of her coffee consumption, especially bad or strong coffee. For many people, coffee is simply one step of their daily routine. However, Isabelle notes, “Now I just need the caffeine. I need to stay awake” (4). Coffee symbolizes her desperation for clarity and its necessity in finding her missing son. Isabelle’s trauma-induced insomnia has changed her mindset to the point of no longer being able to enjoy daily activities; instead, she has a singular goal that she cannot waver from.

Nightgowns

Isabelle’s mother dresses Isabelle and Margaret in matching nightgowns each night for bed. These nightgowns are usually described as white with floral embroidery. In the wake of youngest sister Eloise’s death and their mother’s mental health crisis, the girls wear their nightgowns for much of the day. Isabelle initially looks back on this time as idyllic, but as an adult, she recognizes the implications of her childhood experiences and identifies the many warning signs proceeding her mother’s murder of Margaret. The nightgowns and Isabelle’s reflections on them highlight the difference between story and truth. It is only when Isabelle gains necessary context that she understands the true meaning of her summer days without parental intervention, identifying these days as neglect. This realization serves as evidence for the broader events of that summer and helps Isabelle take a step toward healing and reconciliation with her parents.

Isabelle’s Clue Wall

Isabelle devotes a wall of her dining room to clues about Mason’s case. It features maps, information about neighbors, and lists of known sex offenders in the area. The wall is a source of constant attention and emphasizes the depth of Isabelle’s dedication to finding Mason. It is in a space that is traditionally associated with family gatherings, highlighting Isabelle’s lack of familial support at the beginning of the novel. The wall serves as a talking point but is also a source of discomfort for other people involved in the case.

The wall represents how Isabelle’s perception has been shaped by narrative. Notably, both she and Ben are missing from the wall because she begins the novel with no reason to suspect either of their involvement in Mason’s disappearance. Ben is ultimately revealed to be one of the main culprits, but he has hidden his true self so effectively that Isabelle cannot see it until Waylon sparks her suspicion. Isabelle spends so much time focused on clues she believes to be present that she ignores the ones right in front of her, just as she spends so much time focused on the wall that she fails to recognize the people who exist outside of it.