House Rules

Emma Hunt is a dynamic character whose journey serves as a central focus of the narrative. A single mother of two sons, one of whom has autism, Emma is compassionate, resilient, and fiercely protective of her children. Her role in the story is pivotal, as she navigates the challenges of parenting a neurodivergent child while also facing personal and professional pressures. Through first-person reflections on her past and present experiences, Emma outlines the disintegration of her marriage to Jacob and Theo’s father, Henry, who abandoned the family when he realized that Emma prioritized Jacob’s condition over Henry’s happiness. The difference between her and her husband introduces the theme of The Intersection of Parenthood and Identity.

Henry’s absence forced Emma to become the primary breadwinner for their family and find a job that allowed her to work from home to support Jacob. By the time Jacob is 17, Emma has no social life, no hobbies, and no real identity beyond her role as a mother. Because Jacob’s needs require constant support, she views his care and advocacy as a full-time job that dominates her existence.

As a mother, Emma embodies empathy, patience, and unconditional love, striving to create a nurturing environment for Jacob amidst societal expectations and judgment. Her role as a caregiver extends beyond meeting his physical needs; she also advocates for his rights, educates herself and others about autism, and helps Jacob develop his social skills. However, despite her commitment to Jacob, Emma is not a perfect parent. She loves both of her sons, but she is so overwhelmed by Jacob’s needs that she neglects Theo.

Emma can also be ignorant and unrealistic when it comes to Jacob. Because neurotypical people frequently discriminate against him, Emma is so committed to fighting their prejudice that she is unable to see Jacob’s faults. For example, Emma insists that Jacob would never hurt anyone. However, Jacob has frequently attacked Theo so severely that he needed stitches. When reminded of this, Emma confesses that she had blocked out that memory. This underscores Picoult’s use of multiple perspectives in the novel, which gives the full story when each character is limited by their own views and memories.

When Jacob is arrested for the murder of Jess, Emma is forced to reevaluate her perception of Jacob and herself. In light of the overwhelming evidence against him, Emma considers the possibility that Jacob may be violent and struggles with conflicting definitions of justice. As a mother, her instinct is to protect her son at all costs. As Jacob faces trial for murder, Emma reflects on her choices as a mother and wonders if she is supporting her son enough.

Her emotional journey is marked by moments of introspection, self-discovery, and resilience in the face of adversity. Throughout her son’s trial, Emma’s growth is evident in her evolving understanding of Jacob’s needs and struggles, her ability to navigate complex legal and ethical dilemmas, and her capacity to balance personal desires with familial responsibilities. By the end of the novel, Emma emerges as a stronger, more empowered character who also considers her own needs.

Theo Hunt is a round primary character who adds depth and complexity to the Hunt family’s story. Although he is younger than Jacob, Theo is neurotypical, and he is often tasked with looking out for Jacob—a responsibility that typically falls to the older brother. Theo feels isolated at home and at school, where his own social circle diminishes whenever he steps in to protect Jacob from bullies. Picoult therefore makes him a partially sympathetic character, even though he directs some ableism and bigotry toward Jacob.

Theo’s relationship with Jacob is characterized by a combination of resentment, love, empathy, and anger, which bleeds into every aspect of Theo’s identity. He blames Jacob for Emma’s neglect, his own social isolation, and the Hunt’s unconventional home and family life. Theo feels unable to confide in Emma so he processes his feelings on his own by sneaking into empty houses and drawing comfort from the trappings of other family’s normality.

Theo is not a perfect character, but he is also not an antagonist. Rather, he is a flawed teenager who is honest about the hard truths he wrestles with as the brother of an autistic individual.

Oliver Bond is a dynamic secondary character who plays a significant role in the legal proceedings surrounding Jacob’s arrest and murder trial. As an inexperienced defense attorney who has only tried two cases in his life, Oliver makes a desperate decision to take on Jacob Hunt’s case, despite knowing nothing about autism or the process of a criminal trial in Vermont. However, Oliver is funny, determined, and willing to learn on the job; these qualities serve him well as he gets to know the Hunt family.

When he isn’t brainstorming defense strategy with Emma, Oliver is sharing pasta with his poodle Thor, and trying to convince himself that he is capable of winning this trial. The challenge of supporting a client with autism who struggles to cope with courtroom etiquette often pushes Oliver’s mental and emotional boundaries to their breaking point. Although Oliver occasionally loses his temper and snaps at Jacob, he also displays a willingness to take responsibility for his actions. When Oliver sees that his attempts to communicate with Jacob are ineffective, he is humble enough to accept Emma’s advice, to engage with Jacob, and do enough research to educate himself. Through him, Picoult suggests that people can become advocates for people with autism if they educate themselves and try.

As the trial drags on for weeks, Oliver becomes part of the Hunt family. He plays video games with Theo, encourages Jacob to stand up for himself, and offers Emma the laughter, support, and empathy she longs for. His evolving relationship with Jacob and his family humanizes Oliver’s character, showcasing his capacity for empathy and understanding beyond his role as a legal representative. He also becomes the love interest for Emma, therefore driving her character development.

Rich is a round character whose first-person perspective offers nuance to Jacob’s arrest and trial. As the detective who investigates Jess’s murder—and testifies against Jacob—Rich is partly the antagonist of the text. However, Rich is also the thoughtful father of a little girl, Sasha, who takes pride in making the world a safer place for his daughter. Because he shares custody of Sasha with his ex-wife, Rich feels that he never spends enough time with Sasha, so he tries to make the most of their weekends together. His love for his daughter motivates his work as a detective because, as he investigates Jess Ogilvy’s death, he imagines Sasha dying alone and afraid.

However, despite being a good father and a skilled detective, Rich displays a lot of prejudice through which Picoult explores Disability and the Perception of the “Other.” When his investigation leads him to the Hunt family, Rich is unsympathetic as Emma tells him that Jacob has autism and communicates differently. “Okay,” he responds, “[a]nd I’m red-green color-blind. Whatever” (123). He has no experience with autism and he isn’t interested in learning, in contrast to Oliver. Rich manipulates Jacob into giving a false confession. Although Rich feels guilty for betraying Emma’s trust in him, he justifies his actions by telling himself that “all is fair in love, war, and interrogation. […] If I can convince a suspect I’m the second coming of his long-dead grandma and the only way to salvation is to confess to me, so be it” (169). His view highlights the problems in the criminal justice system and the way it discriminates against people with autism.

Throughout Jacob’s trial, Rich testifies for the prosecution, encouraging the jury to believe that Jacob is guilty of murder. Although Rich believes that he is doing the right thing—and refuses to consider the possibility of Jacob’s innocence—he repeatedly attempts to apologize for betraying Emma. His efforts are rebuffed until Jacob calls 911 to accuse Emma of child abuse and Rich investigates. Despite Emma’s initial hostility toward him, Rich empathizes with her and acknowledges that her daily life as Jacob’s mother must be difficult. He tries to help by calming Jacob down and the two have an honest conversation. Although Rich never apologizes for arresting Jacob, both Jacob and Emma’s animosity toward Rich decreases. Rich’s views about autism do not evolve, but he does attempt to empathize with the Hunt family while maintaining his commitment to get justice for Jess.