Theme Of Pillars Can T Swim

Liane Shaw’s book Caterpillars Can’t Swim tackles biases, acceptance, and identity. The central theme is to oppose prejudices or suffering will ensue, so surrounding oneself with those who are accepting. The message is supported by Jack’s actions and monologue, Ryan’s friendship with Cody, and their adventure at Comic-Con.
The story begins, Jack nearly drowns in the river and motives unfold when confronting his mother. “. . . I’ve always been gay. I’ve had to hide it from everyone. . . This is a really small town. . . people here aren’t. . . accepting. . . I don’t want to hide anymore,” Jack explains (Shaw 233). He wants to be himself but the persecution and prejudices of Thompson Mills, the town they reside in, drives him to end it all in the river. His mother, hearing the revelation, is unaccepting, causing him to return to the river. His attempts fail because Ryan stops him. Ryan shows support and advocacy for Jack throughout the story, bringing out the

Ryan recently moved, “. . . I didn’t want to get used to a new school. . . I’d been at my other school since kindergarten... No one stared at my chair or at me. . . make sure I could get in through the door on my own so we would know if I would need. . . a “helper.” I hate helpers. . . they fall into two categories: volunteer helpers. . . obnoxiously nice. . . think they’re doing something special, and forced helpers. . . would rather do anything else than push some crippled kid around” (Shaw 96, 97). Ryan understands he is treated differently due to his cerebral palsy at the new school, evidently upset. These feelings change when he met Cody, a forced helper turned friend, who wheels Ryan out during a fire drill comedically, which earns laughs from everyone. “Cody doesn’t. . . really care that I’m in a chair. He’s never asked. . . questions I’m used to being asked by kids” (Shaw 100). Cody treats Ryan like anyone else, which helps him feel equal to everyone despite his