29 Savannah and Tim have their own problem in life
. Savannah’s problem is she wants to see John who is on duty in the army, whereas John is far away from
Savannah. Tim tries to make her happy and consoles her. Tim has a problem with his brother. Savannah helps Tim to take care of
Alan. From this fact that Savannah behaves, the readers can say that Savannah is kind because she helps Tim and Alan. “I tried to help him, and he tried to help me,
and we both tried to help Alan.” p. 281.
4. Dependent
John is back to the army. Savannah writes first letter to John. In her letter, she says that she wishes she can hold John’s hand and watch his smile. She really
wants John to stay near her. Having been separated with John makes Savannah always hopes to have physical contact with John. From her thought, it can be seen
that Savannah really needs John and physical contact from John. All I can think is that I wish I were with you now, holding your hand and
watching for your elusive smile. p. 168. Savannah always wants John is close to her, but because of the long
distance relationship they cannot be close to each other. Savannah is a dependent girl because she cannot live alone. The only thing which can be seen that
Savannah cannot live alone is looking at her imagination. Savannah’s imagination can be seen in her letter for John. The author
gives what Savannah is thinking about John’s condition. She writes about John’s condition in the camp, but what she describes is totally wrong. What she thinks is
30 something exists or true, although in fact it is not real or true. She thinks that John
sits in a tent at a makeshift table, with an oil lamp burning beside him while the wind blows outside. Based on the reality, John is in the condition of the
fluorescent-lit, government-issued desk in side his wooden barracks. I like to imagine the way you looked when you wrote it: what you were
wearing, your surroundings, the way you held your pen. I know it’s a cliché and it’s probably off the mark, but I keep thinking of you sitting in a
tent at a makeshift table, with an oil lamp burning beside you while the wind blows outside. p. 175.
After John is far away from her, she always imagines and remembers
when she and John have been through together. All those things can make Savannah feel that their soul will be linked together. She remembers all the
activities they have done with John. It is shown in this quotation below when Savannah sends John a letter to share about what she feels.
For the past two and a half years, I’ve been staring at every full moon and remembering everything we’ve been through together. I remember how
talking to you that first night felt like coming home, and I remember the night we made love. I’ll always be glad that you and I shared ourselves
like that. To me, it means that our souls will be linked together forever. p. 228.
The only thing she can do is just imagining something that is not based on the facts. She likes to think of some unreal events. She just imagines all those things.
“When I close my eyes, I see your face; when I walk, it’s almost as if I can feel your hand in mine.” p. 228.
From all of her imaginations above can be a form that Savannah is a dependent girl. The way she can do is creating imagination about John’s presence
31 in her mind. Savannah cannot get John in reality. Therefore, she just plays with
her imagination. The readers may find that Savannah is a dependent girl through her
reaction in the situation. When John is apart, Savannah is always with Tim. She needs Tim while John is in the army. Savannah and Tim spend time together.
“Anyway, we spent a lot of time together, and he was good at consoling me whenever I got down.” p. 280. They do activities together too. Here, Savannah
tries to replace John’s absence with Tim’s presence. Savannah needs Tim to replace John who is not next to Savannah.
5. Loving
