The Deep End

This concluding section brings together the recurrent references to Christian beliefs and stories, when a “miracle” brings the family together in “Eden.” When Greg says that “God has a sense of humor” (184), it is a comment on not only the present moment, but on the entire trip, and even on his life: filled with chaos, strange happenings, and unfortunate accidents. The ways in which he and his family deal with these occurrences is what really defines the family, and Greg is not always the best at confronting or coping with stressful situations. He is still finding his confidence and developing a sense of morality. Additionally, Greg’s ability to handle Fear and Anxiety is related to his developing levels of maturity and confidence, and thus when he reacts with panic, it is a natural consequence of both his age and his personality. Readers can appreciate Greg and his perspective as relatable while also questioning his choices. As Greg himself shows, it is easier to perceive others’ mistakes than one’s own. The key mistake of the novel comes in this last section, when Greg dives down into the bottom of the pool during a lightning storm. Although he wasn’t aware it was approaching, it is a classic example of how avoiding problems only causes them to grow. While Greg manages to avoid being disciplined by the camp director, he is caught in a lightning storm instead, risking his very life. Greg also risked his life when he allowed himself to be carried down the river in an effort to avoid being seen naked. His decision to finally embrace the deep end is a culmination of the stress of the vacation and the weeks leading up to it. Greg and his family are not able to unwind until a natural disaster leaves the Heffleys alone at the campgrounds.

As the novel reaches its crisis, these last sections heighten the novel’s unspoken analogy to the COVID-19 pandemic, as the society of the campsite is seen to breakdown. The selfish and criminal behaviour of the campers parallels the pandemic crisis, in which many people responded to broken supply chains by hoarding and looting. The humorous and limited nature of the novel’s crisis scenario is a way of helping young readers deal with the social fears and uncertainties exposed by pandemic life. The motif of Christianity also helps to contain this novel’s apocalyptic scenario within a hopeful faith-based message. The family’s final appreciation for each other is partly found in opposition to the disruptive influences of the wider community.

The story’s climax finishes with the dangerous trip down the river and Manny’s fantastical skill in maneuvering the camper. The moment is depicted in Greg’s diary with two full pages of illustration that shows the beautiful mountains and sun in the background. The beauty of nature was there all along, but the family was too preoccupied with trying to have a good time that no one stopped to simply enjoy it. At the same time, the campground was so crowded that it was impossible to find any quiet or solitude, and the type of isolation that the family needed was simply not being found. The storm that brings the family together is the very “miracle” that Greg hopes for in the story’s introduction. The lightning that hit the bridge in the exact right place forced extreme action and led to the riveting conclusion. Greg held on through the entire trip, just like he admired in Noah, and Appreciating Family finally became possible again. It is not only the lightning storm that makes this happen, but the entire series of events that lead to it. Facing adversity and overcoming challenges bring the Heffleys closer together, and it takes the storm for the family to realize it. Although Greg’s final drawing of himself riding a shark-drawn camper through the river is exaggerated, the real story is just as incredible.