35 plague Ivy when she was toddler, not sickness, or want, or fear, or desire” 17. In
Ivy’s nightmare, she attacks herself unconsciously. After Hoover’s claim, Ivy’s nightmare happens almost every night. Janice tries to take Ivy to a doctor and a
psychiatrist, because Janice worries of Ivy’s condition. The doctor and the psychiatrist say that Janice does not need to worry of Ivy’s health. Janice believes
in what they said, although after a long time, she feels uncertain about that. Elliot Hoover’s claim shocks Janice. As a person who does not believe in
reincarnation and faith, Janice tries to disregard Hoover’s claim. Elliot Hoover claims that Ivy’s attitudes, habits, and appearances are completely the same as his
daughter, Audrey Rose. Hoover says that Ivy’s nightmare is not expressing some special fears of separation from Janice, not even sickness “I think your daughter
may be in far greater trouble” 104. He believes that Ivy’s nightmare is caused by Audrey Rose “Ivy is experiencing the same anguish that Audrey experienced in
that terrible fire, and Audrey will continue to abuse Ivy’s body until Audrey Rose’s soul is set free” 147. Moreover, Hoover says that Audrey will ruin Ivy’s
body. “She will keep pushing Ivy back to the source of the problem; she’ll be trying
to get back to that moment and will be leading Ivy into dangers as tormenting and destructive as the fire that took Audrey’s life.” 147
Of course, Janice pays no attention to what Hoover said about Audrey Rose,
because Janice only cares about her daughter’s condition and health. She will do anything to make her daughter feels safe, protected, healthy, and happy.
2. Responsible
We can see from the beginning Janice’s responsibility as a mother and a house wife. She always performs her tasks to take care of Ivy and also her husband.
36 Janice always brings Ivy to school and picks up her after school every day 9.
When Ivy is sick, Janice always takes care of her daughter passionately “It was just above normal, yet Janice thought it best to keep her home from school 18”.
When Elliot Hoover comes to their life, Janice becomes more strictly in protecting Ivy. Janice always worries that Hoover will take her daughter over
from her life. As a responsible mother, Janice tries to save Ivy from Hoover’s interference. Janice is always beside Ivy every time. Janice is afraid that the man
is watching and waiting for her daughter in front of her apartment building. Hence, every time Janice enters her apartment, she will double lock and bolt the
door 11. She does not want the mysterious man enter her apartment when she is only with Ivy.
One day, Janice feels unhealthy and suddenly she feels faint while she is walking to pick Ivy up from her school. Some people help her and a policeman
calls for help. When Janice regains consciousness, she realizes that she is getting late to pick Ivy up from her school. Thinking Ivy is waiting alone, Janice is
terrified of her daughter will be kidnapped by Hoover “It’s my daughter. Ivy. She’s been let out of school. She’s alone, waiting for me” 53. Janice does not
care about her sickness and tries to go to Ivy’s school as soon as possible. Janice ignores a lot of people’s warning that she has to take a rest for a while “No I’m
all right, really. Absolutely all right. Please help me find a cab Please” 53. Janice wants to pick up Ivy and goes to her school quickly. Janice does not want
her daughter waiting for her too long. This incident shows that she is a responsible person.
37
3. Calm
The presence of Elliot Hoover in Templeton’s family makes Janice feel uncomfortable. She always thinks that Hoover does not have good purposes for
her daughter, Ivy. In Janice’s mind, the man will kidnap her daughter and destroy her perfect family. Hence, Janice is always careful on her daughter’s life and
protects her daughter strictly. Until one day, when Janice is playing a scrabble with her daughter, Hoover contacts Templeton’s home. Hoover does not say
anything on the telephone, but for Janice, the call is a kind of terror. Although Janice starts to panic at that time, she tries to control herself in order to make her
daughter not to feel panic. Janice picked up the phone on the fourth ring.
“Hello?” she said. There was no answer.
“Hello?” she said again, in a softer tone, feeling a prickle of apprehension. Janice was about to hang up when the voice finally came.
Male. Quiet. Hesitant. “Is she all right?” it said.
She stood there, eyes shut, steeling herself against the wave of utter panic about to overwhelm her. It was the man. She knew it was he. It could be no
one else. He had found their unlisted number. Somehow. She felt trembling. Control Control She must not let Ivy see her like this
A small, static smile affixed to her face, Janice gracefully squatted down to resume the game. 27
Janice’s reaction to control herself is clearly seen when she talks to herself that
she has to control herself not to worry in front of her daughter.
4. Rational
