Paradise on Fire

Much of Addy’s journey of Personal Growth and Self-Discovery has involved her realizing that she is stronger for the connections she makes with others, in particular Jay, Leo, Nessa, and DeShon. Due to Jay’s injuries, Addy must hike alone to attempt to get help. Separated from the others, she reflects on her isolation: “I feel so alone. Fire and me. I’m locked in its maze” (218). Despite her physical isolation, her connections with others still make her stronger: She finds the courage to continue because she wishes to help her friends and imagines that she sees Bibi in the smoke, which leads her to a platform. In Part 7, Chapter 4, it is thoughts of her friends that keep her from stopping to rest because she knows that if she stops, she may not be able to start again.

Addy is so tired that she begins to have a waking dream as she moves forward, which leads to her finally understanding how she survived the fire that killed her parents: “Mama saved me. She taught me to fly” (231). Addy’s mother threw her from the window into a firefighter’s net, saving Addy’s life before her mother died. Significantly, although Grandma Bibi must have known the details of how Addy survived the fire, she encouraged Addy to go on a journey of self-discovery to finally remember what happened to her. It is clear that Addy was not ready to remember until this moment, and now she can finally begin healing.

Addy nearly gives up from exhaustion, but she sees an eagle (See: Symbols & Motifs), which rekindles her commitment to Survival and Resilience. As she imagines what it must see, Addy finds the energy to keep going. Maps are also an important component of survival (See: Symbols & Motifs), as Addy uses a map to show the firefighters where her friends are. Since she is so proficient with maps, she is able to retrace her steps on the map to pinpoint the group’s location. In the Epilogue, Jay is healthy and also at Paradise Ranch with her, which shows that Addy successfully saved him, DeShon, and Nessa. Her survival skills have thus allowed her to save several lives, including her own.

The Importance of Nature is also illustrated through this section. Nature is dangerous—and challenging to survive—but it is also a source of power, strength, and beauty for Addy. While the fire destroyed lives, homes, and much of the forest, it is also a site of renewal: As Addy reflects, “It’s not hopeless. Me and Ryder see every day how the forest is slowly, gradually resurrecting. Regrowing” (240). Nature and people are continuously intertwined: Addy is also healing from her past traumas, just as the land is healing from the fire. It will take time, but she is now confident that it will get better. This section also shows Addy’s path forward because she plans to become an environmentalist to help educate others about climate change. In this way, the small “crew” that gave Addy strength is getting even larger.