Chapter+41

** Chapter 41: CARL MATT ** ** Summary **
 * Carl and Joy were soundless during their return from the Missing Person's Bureau.
 * Joy had driven Carl to his house in Wattle Beach. Once they arrived in Wattle Beach, Joy questioned Carl whether he would tell Aunt Beryl and Harley about the tragic death of his mother, Kerry. He nodded in agreement and stated "Tomorrow."
 * Carl then put the kettle on and went to reach for Beryl's coffee plunger, but it wasn't in its usual spot. He went to look in Beryl's bed side table and brushed his shoulder against the door of her wardrobe, and found only three items of abandoned clothing inside. At this point in time, Carl had knew that Beryl had left Wattle Beach. Surely, he knew that Beryl would have taken the coffee plunger with her as well. It was one of Beryl's most loved gifts.
 * All of Carl's family had left; they had neglected him. //"They were all gone. Dessie Matt, wherever he was, Kerry, his mother who would never come home, Sarah, in Europe somewhere, Harley across the water and now Beryl." - Page 235//
 * Carl had realised that he had the prospect to leave; to escape and break free. He rapidly stuffed all of his belongings in the knapsack Sarah had bought for him and Harley
 * Carl had his eyes on the door; but then he over thought his descision that was to be made and realised that he wasn't ready to leave. //"I don't want to go. Not now." - Page 236//
 * Carl had then went to town, arriving in Main Street. He made his way down to the beach, near the Surf Club, and that was where Justine had found him.
 * Carl and Justine were discussing all of the tragic events that had recently occurred in Carl's life. How he was always full of hope. Always thinking that his mother would come back for him and Harley. Justine showed much emotion for Carl and was very sorry for what happenned. //"It's so sad about your mother," she said and let the tears flow freely. - Page 237.//
 * She then questioned him about whether he was going to escape or not. He thought that by leaving Wattle Beach, he would finally have the chance to be like the rest of his family, a true Matt. But he then confessed to her why he chose not to leave. //"All right, it was because of you. And Joy and Skip and Maddie. With you lot around, I thought I could maybe bear it if my Mum didn't love me and Harley like I wanted her to." - Page 238.//
 * At that moment, Joy's Landrover appeared. //"You found him, I thought you'd be halfway to Hendon by now," Joy said in relief "I told you he wouldn't leave us," Justine reminded her.- Page 239//
 * Everyone in town knew that Beryl had left, and so they were all assuming that Carl had gone with her. Once Joy knew that this statement was not true, she pleaded Carl to come and live with her family and Harley in Wiseman's Cove. Carl's reply was yes.
 * They all decided to make their way home by the old red barge, which was once owned by the Duncan's.
 * //Joy then announced "There's only one way for the Duncan's to travel." "And the Matt's too," Skip added. - Page 240.//
 * Carl was taking in the scenery, that was once observed every day of his life and noticed a bird drifting overhead, which looked very similar to the osprey him and Joy released.
 * Joy subsequently revealed to Carl that his mother didn't just abandon her children, she was planning to come back, but died along the way in a bus crash only five days after she left home. //"One of her little holidays," Justine added. - Page 240.//

The Major Plot ** The Major Plot of this chapter is when Carl discusses the tragic events that occured in his past, including the death of his mother, with his close friends. Carl is given the chance to forget about the past and start a new chapter of his life, when he is declared a member of the Duncan Family. // "Hoping," he repeated. "That was the hard part. I think I'd given up hoping that she would ever come for us. I'd sort of whittled everything down to just one hope. That one day she'd let Harley and me know that she did care. Not much chance of that now. It's over." // - Page 237 Carl discussing with Justine how he was full of anticipation that his mother would come back for him and Harley, but eventually this strong faith died. //"You will come home with us now, won't you, Carl? No more holding out," Joy pleaded//. - Page 239 The Duncan family are very frantic for Carl to come and live with them in Wiseman's Cove.

//"All right I am. I'm bloody mad with her and why shouldn't I be." He was shouting again, rocking from foot to foot, unstable to stand still.// - Page 232. After being asked to live with the Duncans, Carl is very much appreciative of their concern for him, as well as his brother Harley. He feels loved for once in his life.
 * The Character Developments**
 * __Carl:__** We learn that although Carl keeps his thoughts to himself, he can become very emotional and expressive.

//"There's only one way for the Duncans to travel." "And the Matt's too," Skip added.// - Page 239 - 240. **__Joy:__** We learn that Joy Duncan really does care for the Matts, and is was always very concerned for their safety. She was very keen about finding their mother, Kerry. After finding Kerry dead, Joy was very considerate and took up the challenge to look after Carl and Harley. //"We want to do something for you Carl, to show you how much you mean to us. Look, I know you're worried about your mother. We'll help you find her. You can't go on like this, not knowing." - Page 222//
 * __Skip:__** We learn that Skip eventually forgets about the past, and forgives Dessie Matt for his wrong doing, and stops bringing it out on Carl. Although Skip doesn't tend to show his sign of forgiveness, everyone knows that he is sorry for his actions. Skip is now very welcoming towards the Matt's. He now clasifies Carl and Harley part of the Duncan family.

**The Theme Developments** Carl vaguely mentions his family heritage of the Curse of the Matts and also discusses the heart-breaking death of his mother with his very close friend, Justine. Skip Duncan forgives Carl for bringing the past out on him by giving him the oppurtunity to live with the Duncans. In this chapter everyone is foregiving & forgetting and starting a new chapter of their lives. // "The angers gone now Carl. Even for Skip." - Page 282 //
 * Foregiving and Forgetting:**

For Carl and Harley, family isn't necessarily related. Family Relationships for them is someone who is very concerned, loving and caring towards them. They don't neglect them and will look after them in times of need, unlike their related family, the Matts. In this case, Carl and Harley's family is the Duncans. Although they are not related, they will always look out for each other and there is a strong bond between them.
 * Family Relationships:**

In this chapter, there is hope for everyone, especially the Matts, as they now have somewhere to live and have more of a future, rather than them fonding for themselves; because every member of their family has neglected them. Even though they are without their family, they still have hope as they will always have the Duncans to go to.
 * Hope:**

**Homework Task** 1. Why do you think Carl is very angry and upset with his mother because she is dead? 2. Do you think that Kerry really loved her children? (There is no right or wrong answer) 3. Why didn't Carl leave Wattle Baech? 4. Draw a picture of Carl sighting the bird while they were on the barge. What does this symbolize to you?




 * // Completed by: Olivia Nesci 8 KPI //**