Properties of Thirst

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2022

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Summary

Background

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-3

Chapter 4

Chapters 5-7

Chapters 8-11

Character Analysis

Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Book Club Questions

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Character Analysis

Rockwell “Rocky” Rhodes

Content Warning: This section refers to death by suicide.

The first character the reader meets, Rocky Rhodes is complex and at times divisive. He’s caring, supportive, and loving to his family members, willing to go out of his way to demonstrate his love and commitment. This is evident in the extremes he goes to in order to convince Lou to marry him and move west, such as building an elaborate bell tower and a state-of-the-art kitchen. He remains dedicated to her throughout her life and fiercely loyal to her memory after she dies. Likewise, he deeply loves his young children and provides thorough care and support for them after Lou’s death.

Externally, Rocky is a gruff, no-nonsense man who displays traits of traditional masculinity: He’s unafraid of physical labor and works hard to reach his goals. He painstakingly carves out a successful life for himself and his family, though the terrain in the American west is unforgiving. He insists on loyalty from others in his life, especially his children. Ironically, he becomes estranged from his son, just as he did from his own father, Punch, during his life. Indeed, he recognized the way he disappointed and defied his father by failing to take up the family business, but he was brazen and unapologetic about this decision, committed to pursuing his own dreams even at the cost of his relationship with his father.

Stubborn and hardheaded at times, Rocky is unwavering in his decision to protect his water rights, refusing to compromise with the Los Angeles Department of Water or, initially, to hear out Schiff when he requests access to Rocky’s water for Manzanar. In time, however, Rocky’s defenses against Schiff soften and the two share a unique friendship and garner a mutual respect. Rocky’s death as the novel closes brings the narrative full circle. Although his family presumes that Rocky died by suicide, the details surrounding his death are unknown. The final chapter suggests that his drowning may have been accidental.

Sunny Rhodes

Rocky and Lou’s daughter, Sunny, is a quiet and reserved 20-something as the novel unfolds. Although she has a calm and contemplative demeanor, she’s certain of her opinions and not easily discouraged or deterred. Saddened by the death of her mother and keenly aware of the missed opportunity to know the person her mother was, she sets out, merely an adolescent, to learn about French cuisine and its ingredients (passions of her mother’s) as a means of accessing Lou. In the process, Sunny discovers a talent and passion for cooking that she shares with her family and with Lone Pine by establishing a fine dining restaurant. Indeed, cooking comes to define Sunny as her memories are tied to the food associated with them.

Sunny is a warmhearted and kind-spirited person, selflessly assisting in the daily tasks at Manzanar and freely offering everything from cooking lessons to food for needy individuals as the US involvement in the war takes hold. As a driven and determined person, she doesn’t allow obstacles to stand in her way and won’t settle for less than her best, setting high standards for her cooking. Importantly, Sunny defines herself, in some respects, in terms of her twin brother, deliberately setting out to counter his negative traits with positive ones. Whereas Stryker is outgoing and reckless, Sunny is cautious and respects authority.

A key moment in the plot that impacts Sunny greatly is the termination of the relationship with her fiancé, Hace. The betrayal Sunny experiences sends her into a deep depression lasting six weeks. Her allegiance to her family and her passion for cooking finally pull her out of it. During much of the novel, Sunny proves to have a stubborn streak, resisting Schiff’s romantic interest (even though his hints are subtle). When she finally allows herself to admit that she too has romantic feelings for Schiff, a meaningful and nurturing relationship develops between them. Sunny remains loyal to Schiff and to her family until the novel’s close, embodying the importance of the theme of Legacy and Familial Expectations.

Schiff

Growing up, attending school, and working in Chicago, Schiff finds California foreign. As he encounters the land where Manzanar will be built, he’s struck by how it is barren and desolate. Schiff is a polite, intelligent, and reserved man. He carries out the tasks required of him with diligence and isn’t overly proud or boastful. He recognizes that his parents, as Jewish immigrants from Europe, are vested in his success. However, he doesn’t feel pressured to abide by the image of his life they hold for him. He’s aware that he’s fortunate to be residing in the US, however, because had his parents not emigrated, the family would have been subject to the terrors perpetrated by the Nazi regime. Schiff is a person of conviction and recognizes the injustice of the forced imprisonment of the Japanese immigrants and Japanese American citizens. Nevertheless, he carries out the tasks that the US government assigns to him. Significantly, he treats the detainees with kindness and respect, even helping them re-establish their personal liberties when possible.

Schiff’s romantic interest in Sunny greatly shapes his character throughout the novel. He’s immediately drawn to her, intrigued by her quiet nature and impressed by her skills as a chef. He proceeds with caution, however, respecting Sunny’s engagement to Hace and instead enjoying the close connection that he develops to her. Their friendship is nurturing and meaningful, and Schiff is the happiest he has ever been when Sunny shifts their friendship to a romance. He comes to care deeply for her and her family, as demonstrated by his dedication to searching for information on Stryker and his wife. When he’s unable to go to Sunny upon Rocky’s death, Schiff is regretful. He’s disappointed in how he let Sunny down by failing to support her when she reached out to him. He’s committed, thereafter, to doing what he can to repair the damage to their relationship. In this way, he remains true to his convictions throughout the novel.

Caswell “Cas” Rhodes

Rocky’s twin sister, Cas comes to his aid when his wife, Lou, dies. She move in with the family at Three Chairs to help him raise Sunny and Stryker. Her tall and physically intimidating presence matches her assertive personality. A bold and outspoken woman, Cas is also witty—all atypical traits for women of the time. At times, she shares Rocky’s gruffness, coming across as hard-edged and determined to obtain what she wants. A smart and savvy businesswoman, Cas maintains her own investments, wisely managing the inheritance she received from her father.

Despite her firm exterior, Cas is loving and warm to Sunny throughout Sunny’s youth, fulfilling the mothering role. Although she selflessly and without a second consideration comes to Rocky’s aid when Lou dies, Sunny later acknowledges the great sacrifice Cas makes in doing this. Indeed, as a person of means, Cas has enjoyed travel and other luxuries. Cas toured Scandinavia as a harp player—an instrument she chose specifically because of her height and proportions. These experiences and her privileged class make her a person who is well-educated and cultured. At the same time, her brash nature allows her to fit in seamlessly in the rugged American West.

Cas was hurt by a man with whom she was romantically involved in Scandinavia. The novel reveals little about this relationship, suggesting the degree to which this is a taboo subject in the Rhodes family. Cas rarely speaks of the man, which suggests that she has given up on romantic relationships. However, this changes when Lyndon Finn comes along. He and Cas share an instant connection, and the novel implies that they go on to live a happy life together.