Content Warning: This section of the guide discusses animal cruelty and death. 

The bond of brotherhood between Eldon and Wayne is a recurrent motif and a crucial part of the story being key to their development. Eldon looks up to his older brother and notes that Wayne “knows more than [he] can ever know” (7). While they do go to school, the two spend most of their time on the family’s isolated farm and are best friends. After working hard on the farm, Eldon and Wayne enjoy moments of rest and fun together. They frequently play games and laugh with each other when they are clumsy or make mistakes, developing each other’s humor. The two brothers often fight because of their different characters and perspectives. However, their fights are part of their childhood play, and their bond helps them overcome their arguments or quarrels. Eldon and Wayne have a “special place” somewhere in the granary where they “sit […] and talk about things” (60). This indicates that conflict and conversation are part of the brothers’ connection and have a formative role in each other’s emotional development. Despite their differences, Eldon and Wayne share a love of stories, which indicates their vivid imaginations.