This critical essay looks at the idols we make of people, the pedestals they fall from, and the forgiveness and compassion required to rebuild a relationship.
Foundations are important in both buildings and in relationships. Sixteen-year-old Polly O’Keefe has a solid foundation in her family but she is growing older and it is time for her to build new relationships. When her family moves to Benne Seed Island, she discovers that she is out of step with other people her age. Soon she begins dating a young intern and makes friends with the artist Maximiliana Horne (Max). However, Polly soon learns that pedestals do not make good foundations.
A Series of Relationships
Maximiliana Horne
Polly becomes friends with Max through her trusted uncle, Sandy, who invites her to visit Max with him when Max calls and says she is living on the island for the winter. Polly and Max quickly become close friends despite the age difference.
Polly doesn’t realize it but she builds a pedestal for Max. Her parents realize it and try to gently point this out to Polly but she doesn’t listen. She grows closer to Max and more reliant on her emotional support as the months pass. Max teaches her that love seeks the beauty in life. Max is hungry for beauty and teaches Polly to see it in everything. She teaches Polly that those who do not act kindly often have sorrows of their own and should be treated with compassion.
Polly soon realizes that Max is terminally ill but she is able to cope with her sickness and offer support to Max. It isn’t until she discovers that Max and her friend, Ursula, are homosexuals does Polly suddenly finds that she can no longer prop up the pedestal she placed Max on. The issue of Max’s sexuality startles, hurts and even scares Polly, however, what causes Max to fall from the pedestal is the overtures she makes towards Polly while she is drunk. Max’s overtures are made out of fear and drunkenness. Polly flees – physically and emotionally.
Queron Renier
Polly becomes friends with Renny because of Max’s interference. He is a young intern. They become close friends and confidants but Polly doesn’t build a pedestal for him. She simply trusts him and relies on him. As a result, she turns to him when she flees Max and is still unwilling to return home to her family.
Renny protects her and advises her. Renny loves her yet he refuses to take advantage of her need. Renny teaches her that love is about giving.
Zachary Gray
Despite the wall of rubble between Polly and Max, Polly agrees to be a gopher for the delegates at a literary conference in Cyprus. The opportunity was arranged by Max. On her way to Cyprus, Polly finds herself alone in Athens where she meets Zachary Gray a young, wealthy American. Zachary is needy and jealous of Polly’s attention. It isn’t until Polly is nearly drowned by Zachary who acts in selfish self-absorption that she realizes the generosity of a love that gives and a love that seeks beauty rather than self.
The Delegates
The delegates at the conference open Polly’s eyes to the tremendous variety with which love presents itself to us in this world. The delegates are from poor countries and many have lived in tremendous poverty yet they come to the conference to learn about how to spread literacy. They come out of love for their fellow humans and their desire to share with them.
Polly learns from the delegates painful lessons about love and generosity; lessons that ultimately allow her to heal and to contact Max. Perhaps the rubble from the fallen pedestal will be used to build a strong and worthwhile foundation for their friendship.
