Sing, Unburied, Sing: Family Roles

   

    Sing, Unburied, Sing is a story about family. The family in the novel, however, does not meet the stereotypical family of America today. One of the main family stereotypes Ward combats in this novel is motherhood. Leonie, the mother, is a drug addict. She isn’t a good mother by any standards, choosing herself or Michael over her kids. Not only is she neglectful and absent, but she is also mean and violence. After commenting on Jojo’s weight, Leonie thinks to herself, “It feels good to be mean,” (pg 147). Stereotypical mother figures are caring and nurturing to their children. Leonie is everything but the stereotypical mother. Leonie does, however, have the maternal instinct to care for her children but never acts upon it. After taking the children to Michael’s parents, Leonie thinks to herself, “I should leave… Take my daughter home and feed her,” but instead waits for Michael (pg, 210). Leonie’s role as a mother is shocking and inhumane. Reading how she hits her children and doesn’t feed them is horrifying. It’s an eye opener for anyone who hasn’t been in that situation. Ward shows a new type of mother in this novel, the one who is broken and doesn’t know how to take care of their kids.

 

        Ward writes Jojo, Leonie’s son, as another complicated member of his family. Jojo holds a parent-like role. He not only cares for Kayla, but Kayla views Jojo as more of a his “mother” than Leonie. When Kayla was sick, scared, or unhappy, she looked towards Jojo. He would soothe her and calm her down. In the arms of Michael and Leonie, her real parents, Kayla would also cry for Jojo. Interesting, Jojo takes up his caretaker role while wanting to be a man. In the beginning of the novel, he claims he wants to be a man, he wants to be like Pop. Jojo describes himself “try to keep my back straight, my shoulders even as a hanger” so he can walk like Pop (pg 1). Through the novel, this thirteen-year-old boy does grow to be like Pop. Leonie even comments “I have never seen [Jojo] look so much like Pop as he does right now,” (pg 208). Beyond their looks, actions, and attitudes, both have a way with animals and both care for their family. And while Jojo may not be the man he wanted to be in the beginning of the story, he becomes a man like his Pop.

 

        Leonie and Jojo’s family shows a different family from what the media and society portray as the American family. It’s new, it’s different, and even at some points it’s shocking and heartbreaking. It’s very different for many readers who do not experience these family dynamics. But it can also be related to others. I think this idea of broken families is something Ward wants to the readers to experience. Many families are affected many loss, addiction, abuse, and poverty. And for many, Jojo’s and Leonie’s experiences aren’t new. But through Jojo’s and Leonie’s experiences, everyone can find a new understanding for what family is, and what it doesn’t have to be.