Because of the Rabbit

“Then he added after-school things like theater and playing right field on the baseball team. What he subtracted was me.”

Emma has finished recounting positive things about homeschooling, all of which involved Owen. When Owen starts high school, Emma misses him; here, she reveals the resentment that she feels toward him for adding extra activities that don’t involve her onto his school day. Emma feels forgotten, replaced by theater, sports, and new friends. Later, when making a friend in Jack and starting school, she will learn that Change Is Hard but Potentially Rewarding.

“‘Every rabbit has some of Monsieur Lapin’s magic,’ he said. ‘Rabbit magic is a powerful thing.’”

Emma and Owen love the magical animal stories about Monsieur Lapin that their late grandfather told them. Emma recalls how her grandfather explained why he called every rabbit he saw “Monsieur Lapin.” This memory comes to Emma during the drive to rescue Lapi, and illustrates how deeply her grandfather’s stories affected her. It foreshadows the immense hope and significance she attaches to the rabbit, and the “magic” that the rabbit brings.

“There were lots of things I was hoping for tomorrow at school, making new friends was Number One—maybe I’d even make a best friend. I really wanted to be half of an “and,” like you see in books.”

This quote highlights Emma’s preoccupation with finding a best friend. “Calvin and Hobbes […] Charlotte and Wilbur” (14) are examples of the “and” that Emma mentions. Emma fantasizes about making a best friend on her first day at school; at this point, she is upbeat and optimistic, emotions that are squashed when her unrealistic expectations are not met the following day.