The Brothers Hawthorne
ELEVEN YEARS AND TEN MONTHS AGO
by Barnes, Jennifer LynnThe chapter opens with Grayson and Jameson Hawthorne in their tree house, showcasing their contrasting personalities—Grayson’s disciplined nature and Jameson’s reckless daring. Their playful banter reveals a unique dynamic: though Jameson is technically younger, their birthdays are just a day apart, making them the same age for one day each year. The conversation shifts to their impending birthdays, which involve a ritual set by their grandfather: investing money, cultivating a skill, and completing a challenge. This year, Jameson anticipates being forced to fight Grayson, a test of the martial arts they’ve practiced, while Grayson dreads his own upcoming duel.
The brothers discuss their grandfather’s demanding expectations, emphasizing the pressure to excel. Grayson reveals his challenge was to create a perfect haiku—a 17-syllable poem that must be emotionally resonant and flawless. Jameson, meanwhile, was tasked with building a card castle using 500 cards without adhesives, a feat he accomplished by ingeniously carving slits into the floor and walls of their family home. His determination and unconventional solution highlight his resourcefulness, though Grayson is both impressed and horrified by the audacity of damaging their grandfather’s prized house.
The chapter delves deeper into their relationship, marked by a mix of rivalry and loyalty. Grayson promises not to go easy on Jameson in their fight, sealing it with a solemn gesture unique to them. Jameson’s fierce insistence on fairness underscores their mutual respect, even as they prepare to compete. Their shared understanding of their grandfather’s harsh standards binds them together, though their approaches differ—Grayson seeks perfection, while Jameson thrives on creativity and risk.
The chapter concludes with the brothers contemplating their next challenges. Jameson whimsically suggests knife fighting, while Grayson, inspired by Jameson’s photography of his card castle, leans toward mastering photography himself. This moment hints at their evolving aspirations and the unspoken bond that drives them to push each other forward. The blend of tension and camaraderie sets the stage for their ongoing struggles under their grandfather’s exacting regime, leaving readers curious about their next steps.
FAQs
1. What are the three components of the Hawthorne brothers’ annual birthday challenges, and what does each entail?
Answer:
The birthday challenges consist of three components: Invest, Cultivate, and Create. For “Invest,” the brothers are given $10,000 to manage, though the specifics of their investments remain private. “Cultivate” requires them to choose a skill or talent to develop over the year—Jameson considers knife fighting, while Grayson opts for photography. “Create” involves completing a unique challenge by their next birthday, such as Grayson’s haiku or Jameson’s card castle. These tasks test their discipline, creativity, and resilience, reflecting their grandfather’s high expectations (pp. 51–53).2. Analyze how Jameson’s approach to his card castle challenge reflects his problem-solving style.
Answer:
Jameson demonstrates ingenuity and adaptability in his card castle challenge. Initially, he struggles with traditional methods (building tall or wide towers), but he eventually innovates by carving slits into the floor and walls to stabilize the structure—a technically permissible solution since it uses “nothing but cards.” His persistence is evident in the hundreds of photographed attempts, showcasing both failures and incremental progress. This reflects his willingness to bend rules and think outside constraints, contrasting with Grayson’s more meticulous approach (pp. 52–53).3. Why does Grayson describe the perfect haiku as something that “has to hurt”?
Answer:
Grayson’s assertion that a perfect haiku must “hurt” underscores the emotional weight and precision required in the art form. His grandfather demands that each of the 17 syllables be “beautiful, perfect, and true,” requiring Grayson to distill profound meaning into minimal words. The “hurt” likely refers to the vulnerability of crafting something deeply personal and the pain of achieving perfection under pressure. This mirrors the broader Hawthorne family dynamic, where excellence is non-negotiable (pp. 51–52).4. How does the brothers’ dynamic illustrate both rivalry and solidarity?
Answer:
The chapter highlights a complex sibling relationship. Rivalry is evident in their impending martial arts duel and competitive challenges, intensified by their grandfather’s expectations. Yet solidarity shines through their shared rituals (like the thumb-promise) and mutual understanding of familial pressures. Grayson’s concern for Jameson’s birthday test and Jameson’s insistence that Grayson not “go easy” reveal a bond that transcends competition. Their interactions suggest a balance between loyalty and the drive to prove themselves (pp. 50–54).5. What might the grandfather’s annual challenges reveal about his values and parenting philosophy?
Answer:
The challenges emphasize self-reliance, creativity, and mastery—values central to the grandfather’s parenting. By assigning tasks like investing money, mastering skills, and creating art, he fosters discipline and strategic thinking. The high stakes (e.g., engraving a haiku on metal, building a card castle without glue) suggest he believes growth comes from struggle. However, the emotional toll on the brothers—Grayson’s anxiety, Jameson’s defiance—hints at a potentially harsh, results-driven approach that prioritizes achievement over emotional well-being (pp. 51–54).
Quotes
1. “There were thirteen different ways to enter the tree house—officially. Unofficially, if a person were willing to risk falling, there were many more.”
This opening line establishes the adventurous and rule-bending nature of the Hawthorne brothers’ world, particularly Jameson’s character. It sets the tone for their relationship dynamic and the unconventional upbringing they share.
2. “Invest. Cultivate. Create. They were given ten thousand dollars to invest. They got to choose a talent to cultivate for the year—anything in the world they wanted to learn to do. And they were given a challenge to be completed by their next birthday.”
This quote reveals the rigorous and unusual birthday tradition imposed by their grandfather, which forms the central framework of the chapter. It shows the high expectations and unconventional education the Hawthorne children receive.
3. “When words are real enough, when they’re the exact right words, when what you’re saying matters, when it’s beautiful and perfect and true—it hurts.”
Grayson’s profound reflection on his haiku challenge reveals the emotional depth and perfectionism instilled in him. This quote captures the chapter’s exploration of artistic expression and the high standards set by their grandfather.
4. “I cut slits in the floor… And the walls,” Jameson added, completely unrepentant.”
This demonstrates Jameson’s creative problem-solving and willingness to bend rules, contrasting with Grayson’s more conventional approach. It highlights their different personalities and how they navigate their grandfather’s challenges.
5. “Photography… No way! I never wan”
The abrupt ending of this exchange (though cut off) shows the brothers beginning to diverge in their interests and approaches, foreshadowing their future development. Their different choices in talents to cultivate reveal their emerging individual identities.