Restless By Rich Wallace: A Thematic Analysis

The book Restless by Rich Wallace had an interesting conclusion which included motifs, themes, settings, new characteristics, and a big conflict that is resolved. These topics came together to create the ending of the story. The end of this story showed the reader the most important conflict. This conflict was person vs. supernatural. Herbie was being haunted by Eamon Connelly, who turns out to be his great grandfather (140). This conflict is significant to the novel because it develops the ending. This conflict then leads to Herbie finding out why he is being haunted and it turns out he is then able to help his great grandfather move on to the “light” (160). Another conflict in this book is person vs self. Herbie is struggling with showing up to football and cross country practice since he has too much on his plate then what he can
The chaos in this book is when the ghost is haunting Herbie and Diane (81). The order happens after Herbie discovers why he is being haunted and can help the ghost move on with their lives (160). “…, walking slowly at first but unclenching and beginning to run as they get back to the main path” This sentence from the text shows how chaotic it was and how they were in a rush to get out of that situation as soon as possible. Another theme of this text is family. Family plays a strong role in this book as the narrator who is dead is the older brother of Herbie the boy that is being haunted. Also, Eamon Connelly who is haunting Herbie turns out to be his great grandfather that needs help from only a family member. This shows how strong the family bond is no matter if you are in the after life or not. The last theme I noticed at the end of this book is love and sacrifice. Herbie has so much love for a family member he has not even met yet that he sacrifices his own life by following him up a big hill to make sure his great grandfather can move on