Walk Two Moons
By Sharon Creech
Summary
Sal has just moved from her farm in Bybanks, Kentucky to a home in Euclid, Ohio. She and her grandparents are driving across country to find her mother. On the road, she tells the story of Phoebe. She learns many things about herself as she tells it.
Thesis - Judgement
Characters in the novel misjudge three characters because they fail to "walk two moons in their moccasins"; these misjudgments are later proven wrong.
Mrs. Cadaver
Mrs. Cadaver is misjudged throughout the story. "Maybe Mrs. Cadaver chopped up her husband and hid him under a bush." (P.86) Sal and Phoebe think that Mrs. Cadaver is dangerous and Sal's dad shouldn't be seeing her. This is later proven wrong. On Pg. 271 Sal talks to Mrs. Cadaver about her dad. She finds out that Sal's dad talks to Mrs. Cadaver because she was with her mom moments before she died. "Maybe Mr. Birkway helped her chop up her husband and bury him and maybe they were getting worried and decided to disguise the spot with a rhododendron bush." (P.115) At this time Phoebe thinks that Mrs. Cadaver murdered her husband with the help of Mr. Birkway. In the end they find out that Mr. Cadaver died in the hospital after a drunk driver hit him and his mom Mrs. Partridge. The nurse that was taking care of Mr. Cadaver as he died was his wife Mrs. Cadaver.
Mike Bickle
Throughout the story Sal and Phoebe misjudge Mike Bickle. "The young man was wearing a black t-shirt and blue jeans, his hands were stuffed in his pockets. He seemed nervous." (P.42) Phoebe and Sal are just meeting Mike Bickle. They don't know who he is yet. Phoebe is worried that he a is kidnapper who wants to take her mom. The truth is that Mike Bickle was looking for Mrs. Winterbottom because he was her son. "Well, who is it for? Said Mrs. Winetrbottom. I believe she thought it came from the potential lunatic."(P.52) At the end of the story they find out the truth "You've been creeping around leaving these things haven't you?"(P.253) At this time Phoebe and Sal catch Mrs. Partridge leaving the mysterious notes at her door.
Mrs. Winterbottom
Mrs. Winterbottom is very mysterious throughout the story. She disappears then comes back with a new son! "On the bench was Phoebe's mother, and she was kissing the lunatic."(P.235) when Phoebe and Sal see this they think they are dating. "Mike is my son." (P.248) This is when Mrs. Winterbottom comes home with Mike and tells everyone the big news. No one is happy about it, but eventually they warm up to Mike being part of the family. "It's not respectable I'm concerned about. I'm more concerned that you couldn't or wouldn't tell me about this."(P.249) Mr. Winterbottom is furious with his wife. He is freaked out not only because his wife has disappeared and just retuned but because his wife has had a son the whole time. "Mike found me, at first I was frightened about what that would mean. I've lived such a tiny life." (P.249) The truth came out when Mrs. Winterbottom said this. She didn't have much of a choice when Mike found her, she couldn't just come out and say that she had had a son the whole time. She had to figure things out with Mike first.
Conclusion
Mrs. Cadaver, Mike Bickle and Mrs. Winterbottom are characters that are misjudged throughout the course of the book. Sal and Phoebe forget to "walk to moons in their moccasins". The truth is revealed about each character as the story unfolds. Even though the secrets and judgments are shocking, everyone learns to cope and deal with the unexpected news