A Rip in Heaven

Cummins frequently uses imagery of childlike behavior to characterize Tom and others throughout the book. Normally such childlike behavior is described in moments of heightened trauma or anxiety for the character. For instance, Tom cries and Kay holds and comforts him, “as she had when he was a newborn baby,” when they first meet in the ambulance after the murders (82). Tom also rubs his sleeve, a childhood habit, as he is driven to the police station.

Yet in other moments, Cummins deliberately describes characters, particularly Tom and Tink, as exhibiting new behaviors and uncharacteristic levels of maturity and confidence. These moments come as the characters are forced to mature rapidly in response to crisis and trauma. For example, Tink is portrayed as having newfound responsibilities and privileges as she displays mature, parental behavior while comforting Jamie after Tom is arrested. Tom has moments of uncharacteristic confidence and manhood as he endures his police interrogations, and Gene marvels at how much Tom has matured as they pack up to return to Maryland.

Cummins constantly shifts between childlike and adultlike motifs as the story makes turn after turn. She uses these alternating motifs to illustrate the