In this article we will talk about where Eleanor runs away to after her fight with Steve. We will also talk about the famous Central Park and Richie’s house. But before we go into that, let’s look at the events in the book. Park and Steve fight and Eleanor runs away to Steve’s garage.
Park’s fight with Steve
The fight between Park and Steve in Eleanor is a rite of passage for Park and is an important part of the novel. It is a moment where Park is given the chance to assert himself and make decisions for himself. He wants to wear makeup to school and his father wants him to take it off, but Park won’t listen to him and refuses to do so. It is a crucial scene in the novel, as Park’s actions define the rest of the book.
Park’s father served in the Vietnam War and met his mother Mindy while serving in Korea. His father brought her to the United States, and they married when she was fifteen. In Eleanor, Park’s dad is proud of Park, and is especially proud of him when he defends Eleanor. His father is more compatible with his younger brother Josh, and he tries to encourage his son’s competitive side.
Park is upset about something in the school bus. He notices that Eleanor is about to cry and tries to avoid him. He then gets angry and moves over in his seat, making a six-inch gap between him and Eleanor. Later, Park’s mother grounds him for having an inappropriate relationship with her daughter.
Park’s fight with Steve is a turning point in the story. Eleanor is embarrassed by Park’s actions, but he doesn’t believe her. This fight shows that Park has a need to be loved and respected. This is a good thing for Park, because he gives her confidence.
Eleanor’s runaway to Steve’s garage
Tina and Steve are the two women who help Eleanor when she’s in trouble. Though Eleanor thinks that they hate her, Tina and Steve aren’t necessarily bad people. Park used to hang out with them before Eleanor came along.
They start by identifying the people in the cell phone video. As the video continues, they are able to track down the man responsible for the crime. When they catch Sheehan, he’s suicidal. They try to talk him into surrendering, but Sheehan refuses. However, the FBI is able to track him down and get him to confess.
Richie and Eleanor’s relationship becomes very strained. Eleanor’s home life has become unsafe, and she feels violated by him. Richie has not physically abused her, but he has emotionally violated her territory, writing crude messages in her school textbooks.
Eleanor is worried that her stepfather will find her. So, she tells Tina that she needs to leave quickly. She is afraid of her stepfather, Richie. Tina then asks her where she’s going. Her answer is “to Steve’s garage,” and she uses an informal colloquial language.
In contrast to Richie’s abusive behavior, Park and Eleanor’s relationship is strong. Eleanor and Park respect each other’s boundaries and treat each other with dignity, whereas Richie is domineering and abusive. In addition, Eleanor takes Park’s picture with her. Unlike Richie, the picture wasn’t destroyed, as he feared.
Central Park
Eleanor and Park begin to notice each other, but not until Eleanor notices something about Park that makes her cry. The two begin to get to know each other better and eventually, Park calls Eleanor on the phone and professes his love for her. After the two begin to date, Eleanor realizes that she loves Park.
Eleanor and Park begin dating, but the relationship grew strained when Eleanor’s gym teacher writes a pass for her to attend a gym class. Eleanor, in her gym suit, sneaks outside and tries to stay away from the other students. Then, she meets Tina, a popular blonde girl who makes her a good sport.
Eleanor and Park spend time together during the summer months. While Park is in Omaha, she is able to see the city. Eleanor is excited to see her new friend, and Park is eager to go on a date with her. The two even plan to go to the prom, and they joke about learning how to drive a stick shift before the big day.
The park is full of memories, and Eleanor is inspired to visit the park regularly. She has many experiences in Central Park, and many of them are happy. While in the park, she also remembers the magic of being a child. She remembers standing on the statue of Alice and remembering how smooth it was to be Alice. She also wants to show the children engraved lines of “Jabberwocky,” but the kids run away and giggle.
Richie’s house
Eleanor has been away from home for a year, and she has been missing her family. Her stepfather is abusive, and she is forced to live with her siblings in a teeny tiny house. Richie also keeps the bathroom door shut so that she can’t use it. Her life is very miserable, and she fears that she will be abused by Richie. As a result, she runs away, seeking the help of distant relatives.
Richie’s house is one of those places in Eleanor where we see Eleanor’s family grow and develop. This is also the first time we see her new boyfriend, Park. The two have a make out session before he drops her off at her uncle’s house in Minnesota. The next day, he gets drunk and throws a fit because he doesn’t have pumpkin pie. He then drives away, leaving Eleanor and her family alone.
Eleanor’s family situation is very different from Park’s. Her mother is a pale shadow of her former self, and she tries to feed the kids while avoiding Richie’s wrath. Meanwhile, her father is still in love. He met his wife while serving in the military and expects him to be more masculine. He also gets angry because Park can’t drive a standard transmission car.
Richie is abusive, and he beats Eleanor physically and verbally. He also never provides Eleanor with a job and child care. He also does not appreciate the sacrifices Eleanor makes for him.
Eleanor’s relationship with Richie
Places to go in Eleanor’ relationship with Richie opens on a tense note. After a year of living away from home, Eleanor is missing her home and family. She lives in a footless bathroom in a tiny house, and she has an abusive stepfather. Despite all of these hardships, she is determined to make things right with Richie.
Eleanor is desperate to make it work, but is constantly scolded by Steve and Tina for her lack of success in pursuing her boyfriend, Richie. This situation makes her want to flee to St. Paul, but Richie is insistent that she come home to live with him. Eventually, Eleanor agrees to babysit for Park, but doesn’t come home. Park continues to send her letters, but she can’t bring herself to call him.
Eleanor’s house used to be a bachelor pad, but now it is more comfortable. She has babysitting duties, but the house still doesn’t have everything Eleanor needs. She is also a burden on her mother, who is unable to support her.
Richie’s behavior towards Eleanor’s mother makes her afraid of him. The mother is afraid of him becoming violent. She maintains a fantasy that Richie is going to be okay, but Richie’s behaviour towards her is escalating.
Eleanor’s relationship with her stepfather
Eleanor Dawson’s relationship with her stepfather is strained and troubled. Her stepfather is drunk and beats her mother. It’s a family of dysfunction, but the two eventually grow to understand each other. The novel is told from Eleanor’s point of view, which builds tension throughout the novel. It also gives readers insight into the possible conflict and the overarching issues.
Eleanor has lived away from home for a year and has missed her family. Her family is extremely poor, and her stepfather is violent. He slaps her mother, refuses to put the door on the bathroom, and writes explicit messages on textbook covers. Eleanor’s relationship with her stepfather is complicated, and she is forced to face the consequences of her decisions.
Eleanor’s stepfather is a beast. She is frightened of him and her four younger siblings, and she wears men’s clothes to school. She lives in poverty and fear. But she knows she loves Park. The two develop a relationship.
Richie is also abusive and manipulative. He has a tendency to molest Eleanor and the children. He is a violent, controlling person and has repeatedly abused the children. His behavior is so damaging that he has even kicked Eleanor out of the house. Sadly, his abusive behavior continues to affect the rest of the family.
