Funeral Shoes and Blisters

Fifteen-year-old Davey Wexler's life is upended when her father is murdered during a robbery at his 7-Eleven store in Atlantic City. The story opens on the day of his funeral, where Davey, unable to find appropriate shoes, is forced to wear her mother's ill-fitting heels. The discomfort of the shoes becomes a metaphor for her emotional pain and the awkwardness of grief. Surrounded by family, including her mother Gwen and little brother Jason, Davey feels isolated and numb, unable to cry or process the loss. The oppressive summer heat and the presence of distant relatives, Bitsy and Walter from New Mexico, add to the surreal, disconnected atmosphere. Davey's internal monologue reveals her struggle to comprehend the finality of death and the sudden absence of her father, setting the stage for her journey through trauma and healing.

Numbness and News Clippings

In the days following the funeral, Davey withdraws from the world, staying in bed and obsessively reading newspaper articles about her father's murder. Her best friend Lenaya visits, but Davey is unable to connect, instead fixating on the cold, factual language of the news, which fails to capture her emotional reality. The family is adrift—her mother is paralyzed by grief, Jason is anxious and fearful, and Davey herself is caught between denial and a desperate need to "face the facts." The family's financial instability becomes apparent, and the future is uncertain. Offers of help from Bitsy and Walter are met with resistance, but the seeds are planted for a change of scenery that might offer hope.

Night Fears and Family Offers

Nights are fraught with anxiety. Davey, her mother, and Jason huddle together for comfort, haunted by fears of violence and the unknown. The family's vulnerability is palpable—Davey sleeps with a breadknife under her pillow, her mother keeps a loaded gun nearby, and Jason is plagued by nightmares. The absence of their father is a gaping wound, and the family's attempts to maintain normalcy are futile. Bitsy and Walter's offer to take them to New Mexico is initially declined, but as Davey's panic attacks intensify and her mother's ability to cope deteriorates, the prospect of escape becomes more appealing.

Atlantic City Ghosts

Davey's memories of her father and Atlantic City are inescapable. She recalls moments of happiness—her father's art, her budding romance with Hugh, family walks on the beach—but these are overshadowed by the trauma of his death. The store remains closed, a symbol of loss and stagnation. Davey's panic attacks escalate, culminating in episodes of hyperventilation and fainting at school. Medical professionals attribute her symptoms to anxiety and recommend a change of environment. The decision is made: the family will go to New Mexico, seeking respite and a chance to heal.

Panic Attacks and Escape

The journey to New Mexico is both literal and symbolic—a flight from pain, but also an uncertain leap into the unknown. Davey, Jason, and their mother are welcomed by Bitsy and Walter in Los Alamos, a town defined by its scientific community and atomic history. The landscape is starkly different, offering both beauty and alienation. Davey is unsettled by the presence of guns, the unfamiliar routines, and the sense of being an outsider. Yet, the change of scenery brings a glimmer of hope, as the family begins to adapt to their new surroundings.

New Mexico Arrival

Life in Los Alamos is structured and safe, but also stifling. Bitsy and Walter are well-meaning but overprotective, imposing rules and routines that chafe against Davey's need for autonomy. Jason finds comfort in new rituals, while Davey struggles with loneliness and the pressure to conform. The family's grief is unspoken, simmering beneath the surface. Davey's longing for her father and her old life is acute, but she is also drawn to the wildness of the New Mexican landscape—a place that feels both dangerous and alive.

The Canyon and Wolf

Seeking solitude, Davey escapes to a nearby canyon, where she meets Wolf, a young man with a mysterious past and a deep connection to the land. Their initial encounter is fraught with suspicion and bravado, but a tentative friendship develops. Wolf, whose real name is Martin Ortiz, becomes a catalyst for Davey's healing. He challenges her to confront her fears, to embrace the present, and to find strength in vulnerability. The canyon becomes a sacred space—a place where Davey can grieve, reflect, and begin to reclaim her sense of self.

Sad Eyes, Tiger Eyes

Wolf nicknames Davey "Tiger" for her fierce, changeable eyes, and their bond deepens as they share stories and silences in the canyon. Wolf's own father is dying of cancer, and the parallel losses create a space for mutual understanding. Through Wolf, Davey learns to articulate her anger and sadness, to accept the complexity of grief, and to recognize the possibility of joy amidst sorrow. The canyon, with its lizards and ancient rocks, becomes a metaphor for survival and transformation.

School, Strangers, and Fitting In

At Los Alamos High School, Davey is an outsider, struggling to find her place among cliques and cultural divides. She befriends Jane, a local girl with her own insecurities and a growing dependence on alcohol. The school's social landscape is rigid, and Davey resists being categorized. She observes the town's insularity, the lack of diversity, and the underlying tensions between Anglos, Hispanics, and Native Americans. Her relationship with her aunt and uncle is strained by their overprotectiveness and their inability to understand her need for independence.

Candy Striping and Mr. Ortiz

Davey volunteers as a candy striper at the local hospital, where she befriends Mr. Ortiz, Wolf's father. Mr. Ortiz is dying, but his warmth and humor offer Davey a model of grace in the face of mortality. Through her visits, Davey confronts the reality of death and the importance of saying goodbye. The hospital becomes another site of transformation, as Davey learns to care for others and to accept the limits of her own power.

Facing Death, Facing Life

Mr. Ortiz's death is a turning point for Davey. She is finally able to cry, to mourn openly, and to acknowledge the depth of her pain. She writes a letter to Wolf, confessing the truth about her father's murder and her own fear. The act of writing is cathartic, allowing her to process her trauma and to reach out for connection. Wolf leaves town, but not before giving Davey a tiger's eye stone—a symbol of resilience and hope.

Letting Go, Moving Forward

With the help of her therapist, Miriam, and her mother's gradual recovery, Davey finds the courage to confront her memories. She returns to the canyon, burying the bloodstained clothes she wore the night her father died, along with the breadknife she once used for protection. This ritual marks a turning point—Davey is ready to let go of the past and to embrace the future. She and her mother decide to return to Atlantic City, not to reclaim what was lost, but to build a new life.

Homecoming and Quiet Strength

The novel ends with Davey, her mother, and Jason back on the Atlantic City beach. The memories remain, but Davey is changed—stronger, wiser, and more compassionate. She understands that grief is not something to be overcome, but something to be integrated into the fabric of life. The relationships she forged in New Mexico—especially with Wolf—have given her the tools to move forward. As she watches Jason run along the shore, Davey knows that the future is uncertain, but she is no longer afraid.

Characters

Davey Wexler

Davey is a fifteen-year-old girl thrust into trauma by her father's violent death. Her journey is one of emotional survival—she cycles through numbness, anger, fear, and ultimately acceptance. Davey's relationships with her family are complex; she feels responsible for her mother and brother, yet resents their dependence. Her friendship with Wolf is transformative, providing a safe space to explore her pain and her capacity for joy. Davey's psychological development is marked by her struggle to articulate her grief, her resistance to being controlled, and her gradual embrace of vulnerability. By the end, she emerges as a young woman capable of facing the world with courage and compassion.

Gwen Wexler (Davey's Mother)

Gwen is devastated by her husband's death, retreating into depression and anxiety. She is unable to care for her children or herself, relying on Bitsy and Walter for support. Gwen's journey mirrors Davey's—she must confront her own fears, seek help through therapy, and reclaim her agency. Her tentative relationship with Ned, a well-meaning but awkward colleague, signals her desire for adult companionship, but she ultimately prioritizes her family's needs. Gwen's recovery is slow and uneven, but her decision to return to Atlantic City demonstrates newfound strength and resolve.

Jason Wexler

Jason, Davey's seven-year-old brother, is deeply affected by his father's death, though he struggles to express his emotions. He clings to routines, finds comfort in baking with Bitsy, and is both frightened and fascinated by the dangers of the world. Jason's adaptability is a source of hope—he is able to form new attachments and to adjust to changing circumstances. His relationship with Davey is tender, marked by moments of playfulness and mutual reassurance.

Wolf (Martin Ortiz)

Wolf is a young man in his early twenties, the son of Mr. Ortiz, a dying hospital patient. He is both a guide and a mirror for Davey, challenging her to confront her fears and to embrace the present. Wolf's own experience with loss—his father's impending death—creates a bond of understanding between them. He is introspective, gentle, and attuned to the rhythms of the natural world. Wolf's gift of the tiger's eye stone symbolizes his role as a catalyst for Davey's healing.

Bitsy Kronick

Bitsy, Davey's aunt, is a childless woman who channels her maternal instincts into caring for the Wexlers. She is organized, nurturing, and deeply invested in the family's well-being, but her overprotectiveness often clashes with Davey's need for independence. Bitsy's inability to let go is both a strength and a weakness—she provides stability, but also resists change. Her grief for her brother (Davey's father) is understated but profound.

Walter Kronick

Walter, Davey's uncle, is a physicist at Los Alamos, embodying the town's scientific ethos. He is logical, risk-averse, and sometimes emotionally distant. Walter's insistence on safety and order is a response to his own fears, but it often stifles Davey's growth. His role as a surrogate father is complicated by his inability to understand Davey's emotional needs. Despite his flaws, Walter's support is crucial to the family's survival.

Jane Albertson

Jane is Davey's first real friend in Los Alamos, a local girl struggling with her own demons. She is bright and eager for approval, but increasingly turns to alcohol to cope with her anxieties. Jane's relationship with Davey is marked by mutual need and occasional conflict. Her inability to confront her drinking problem parallels Davey's initial avoidance of her own trauma.

Mr. Ortiz

Wolf's father, Mr. Ortiz, is a maintenance worker at the Lab and a patient at the hospital where Davey volunteers. He faces death with humor and acceptance, offering Davey a model of dignity and grace. His relationship with his son is loving but fraught with expectations. Mr. Ortiz's death is a catalyst for Davey's emotional breakthrough.

Hugh

Hugh is Davey's boyfriend from Atlantic City, representing the innocence and possibility of her life before tragedy. Their relationship is tender but ultimately unsustainable—Davey's trauma creates a gulf that Hugh cannot bridge. His presence in her memories underscores the theme of loss and the difficulty of moving on.

Ned Grodzinski (The Nerd)

Ned is a colleague of Gwen's in Los Alamos, a divorced man seeking companionship. He is earnest and well-intentioned, but his attempts to court Gwen are met with ambivalence. Ned's presence highlights Gwen's struggle to balance her own needs with those of her children, and the challenges of forming new relationships after loss.

Plot Devices

Trauma as Catalyst for Growth

The novel's central plot device is the sudden, violent loss of Davey's father, which propels the family into crisis and forces each member to confront their deepest fears. The trauma is not merely an event, but a lens through which every subsequent experience is filtered. Davey's panic attacks, her mother's depression, and Jason's regression are all manifestations of unresolved grief. The move to New Mexico serves as both an escape and an opportunity for renewal, allowing the characters to reimagine themselves in a new context.

Setting as Metaphor

Los Alamos, with its stark beauty and atomic history, is more than a backdrop—it is a character in its own right. The canyon, in particular, symbolizes danger, mystery, and the possibility of transformation. Davey's journeys into the canyon parallel her psychological descent into grief and her eventual emergence into healing. The contrast between Atlantic City and Los Alamos underscores themes of belonging, alienation, and the search for home.

Symbolism and Ritual

Throughout the novel, objects—shoes, breadknife, tiger's eye stone, bloodstained clothes—carry symbolic weight. Davey's rituals of hiding, burying, and gifting these items mark her progress through grief. The act of burying her father's bloodstained clothes in the canyon is a pivotal moment, signifying her willingness to let go of the past and to embrace the future.

Parallel Losses and Relationships

Davey's friendship with Wolf is built on shared experience—both are losing their fathers, albeit in different ways. This parallel allows for mutual understanding and support, and highlights the universality of grief. Other relationships—between Davey and her mother, Jane and her family, Bitsy and her lost dreams of motherhood—echo this theme, creating a web of interconnected stories.

Therapy and Self-Reflection

The novel employs a first-person narrative, allowing readers intimate access to Davey's thoughts and feelings. Her sessions with therapist Miriam provide a structured space for self-reflection, enabling her to articulate and process her trauma. Letters, journals, and conversations serve as additional vehicles for introspection and growth.

Analysis

Tiger Eyes is a profound exploration of grief, resilience, and the search for identity in the aftermath of trauma. Judy Blume crafts a narrative that is both deeply personal and universally resonant, capturing the messy, nonlinear process of healing. The novel's strength lies in its psychological realism—Davey's journey is marked by setbacks, contradictions, and moments of grace. The story interrogates the ways in which families cope with loss, the dangers of overprotection, and the necessity of facing one's fears. Through the metaphor of the canyon and the symbol of the tiger's eye, Blume suggests that survival is not about erasing pain, but about integrating it into the fabric of one's life. The novel's relevance endures, offering comfort and insight to anyone navigating the complexities of loss, change, and coming of age.

Last updated: May 12, 2025