Is There Meaning Beyond the Walls of The Rabbit Hutch?
Tess Gunty’s The Rabbit Hutch takes us into the messy, often painful lives of the residents of a run-down apartment complex in Vacca Vale, Indiana. The building itself feels like a character, its crumbling walls and heavy atmosphere reflecting the emotional weight that its inhabitants carry. At the center is Blandine Watkins, a young woman who's searching for something deeper in life, a feeling that many of us can understand.
One of the strongest themes in the book is isolation. The residents live close together, sharing the same space, yet they seem worlds apart. Gunty shows how disconnection creeps into everyday life. The Rabbit Hutch feels claustrophobic, a place where time stands still, and people are stuck, going through the motions. It’s not just the building that’s falling apart, but the lives of the people inside it too.
Blandine stands out because she refuses to accept this as her reality. She’s searching for something more, something real and meaningful. She’s fascinated by mysticism, history, and philosophy, all of which help her imagine a world beyond the one she’s trapped in. Her desire to break free from the ordinary resonates, especially with anyone who’s ever felt that life is too small for their dreams.
This tension between wanting more and feeling trapped is what drives the novel. Each character is struggling with their own version of this, and Gunty writes their stories with empathy and depth. But it’s Blandine’s journey that hits the hardest. She’s constantly reaching for beauty and meaning, but it’s always just out of her grasp. The novel captures that yearning so well -- the desire to escape a life that feels too confining.
The Rabbit Hutch doesn’t offer easy answers, but that’s what makes it so powerful. It’s a story about searching for connection, for meaning, for something bigger than ourselves. And in that search, there’s a lot we can all relate to. The novel leaves us asking how we can find purpose in a world that often feels empty. And even more, what happens when we can't?
References:
Gunty, Tess. The Rabbit Hutch. Alfred A. Knopf, 2022.
I agree The Rabbit Hutch by Tess Gunty does a good job of exploring themes of isolation and the search for meaning in a world that feels indifferent. Tess Gunty’s portrayal of Blandine Watkins captures the struggle of when we feel trapped in our circumstances. Her fascination with mystics like Hildegard von Bingen speaks to her longing for connection and a deeper understanding of life. I believe Gunty also challenges us to consider what we owe one another in moments of crisis and how we create crises in our daily lives. The Rabbit Hutch serves as a collage of voices, with vivid imagery that emphasizes the chaotic lives of its residents and highlights their emotional isolation, even as they live in close quarters.
ReplyDeleteThe Rabbit Hutch also explores the contrast between reality and the stories we tell ourselves, illustrating the complexity of human experience. Throughout the narrative, characters confront various forms of violence—both physical and emotional—that stem from their circumstances in Vacca Vale. The book critiques capitalism and urban development, with Blandine standing as a voice against modernization efforts that threaten her hometown and what she has known. Blandine can find comfort in her conversations with Joan or the boys. These moments reflect her deep desire for connection amid the overwhelming isolation of the Rabbit Hutch, illustrating her struggle to find meaning and beauty in a life that feels confining. Each character represents marginalized voices often overlooked in contemporary narratives, while moments of humor amid despair reflect the complex mix of hope and tragedy in their lives.