What is the theme of Joan Bauer's Rules of the Road?

Answer 1

Bauer addresses several themes in Rules of the Road: complex parent-child relationships, adversity, self-esteem, loyalty, responsibility, and growing up. The overriding theme is Jenna's growing realization about herself and who she is. Because of her sense of loyalty and responsibility, she takes on burdens that a teen should not have to shoulder. Her life has been influenced and colored by her experiences with an alcoholic father. The complexities of their relationship include memories of being forced to lie for him on the telephone, which has developed in her an aversion to using the telephone. Other memories are broken promises, embarrassing situations, missed celebrations for birthdays, holidays, school functions, and a general lack of concern for her, her sister, and her mother. Bauer develops the theme thoroughly as the reader listens in on the unspoken commentary running in Jenna's mind all through the story. Jenna wishes desperately that her father could beat the Alcoholism. Until Jenna meets Harry Bender, a recovered alcoholic, she feels unreasonable responsibility for her father's safety and well being. Although she had attended Al-Anon meetings to help her deal with the situation, it was not until a short, but deep friendship developed with Harry Bender that she understood her responsibility for her father. From Harry she learned that her father's behavior and choices were his responsibility and not hers. That knowledge gave release to Jenna, a freedom she had never experienced before