House of Sand and Fog

Kathy Niccolo is one of the main characters in the novel House of Sand and Fog by Andre Dubus III. Her character is one of high lack of control, addictive and harmful habits, and life full of secrets and lies. When placed in a stressful situation, as when she gets evicted from her house, Kathy crumbles; she goes back to heavy drinking, unsafe sex, and making up lies in order to hide her circumstances. Although her habits are obviously morally wrong, one cannot help but feel sympathy towards Kathy and the situation she is put in.

First of all, some information is given to inform the reader that Kathy had a troubled childhood. Her father wouldn't even look at her and her mother acted as if she didn't even exist. In that stage of early adolescence, one goes through a phase, which Psychologist Erik Erikson calles "identity versus role confusion". Kathy did not develop her identity at this level, thus her role in life is just that- confusion. She tends to be "clingy", and in need of attention, and this is why she gives herself to Lester so easily.

Another reason one feels compelled to sympathize with Kathy is because her own home, not just her house, is taken away by mistake. Dictionary.com defines home as "the place in which one's domestic affections are centered," and Kathy's home was more than just a place where she lived. To her, it represented stability, strength, and reality. Once it was wrongfully taken away, all these concepts vanished and Kathy felt as if she had nothing to hold her down.

One further basis of why one feels sympathy towards Kathy is because we can all identify with her, in a sense that we all have "bad days" and addictive behaviors. I, personally, have an addiction for seeking perfection. Some days, I feel like I accomplished my goals. Other days, when things don't go smoothly, I become irritated and lose a sense of control, just like Kathy. Although most of us, thankfully, have never been "in Kathy's shoes", we can all try to view life through her eyes and realize that life isn't easy.

This brings me to this year's theme of life and death. Life is about what one makes of it. The only truth to life is death. We don't have to do anything in life-except to die. The choices we make day-to-day ultimately shape who we are. Our thoughts and emotions help guide us through life. We all know, but abhor and dread to think about the only certainty, death. But, what is death? To some it may be the physical demise of life. To others it may mean a departure to an afterlife, one of higher bliss.