"The Dream House" - Craig Higginson Summary - Simple Learning!

THE DREAM HOUSE NOTES

CHARACTERS:

Patricia Wiley: Richard's wife
 the lady of the house
 her dream house is no longer the farm it's her old house in Durban
 had her baby Rachel who was stillborn (died at birth and was buried under the Redwoods)
 uses a wheelchair
 Had an affair with John Ford
 Raised Looksmart as her own, still sent him back to a hut after coming home from a private
school.
 Did not want Grace's blood on her car seats even though it was an emergency.
 Beauty is treated as a type of company from her point of view, however it is pointed out by
Looksmart that she is actually treated like a dog.
Quotes:
 “Beauty!” Calling Beauty like a dog.
 “The one good man in (her) life” Her father NOT Richard.
 “There is no justice in this – nor in anything else” About Richard, the death of Grace can't be
justified or avenged.
 “Unbearable present” Her unhappiness with her life
 “Backward glances only crick the neck” She pays no attention to the past.

Richard Wiley: Partner to Patricia
 Suffering from Dementia
 Had various affairs during his earlier years
 Never forgave Patricia for Rachel's death, never viewed her as a wife from then on
 Has a secret about Grace's death
 Originally Looksmart knows that he raped Grace and then set his dog Chloe on her in order to
keep it a secret.
 Actually paid Grace for sex work and impregnated her, set Chloe on her to “exterminate” the
problem.
 He is a horrible man and is very vulgar.
 Always tries to dig up Rachel, and runs away often.
Quotes:
 “The bitch” Referencing the way he used to speak to Patricia, the real person he is slips out
while coming out of his 'demented' state slightly. Shows how he truly feels about her.

Looksmart: Resents Patricia, used to love her
 Born in the dairy compound of Patricia's farm
 Patricia “raised” him slightly, sent him to a private school.
 Has identity issues with his background in a hut and going to a private school of predominantly
white boys.
 Suffered from racial oppression in Apartheid.
 Loved Grace
 Resents Patricia for not saving Grace
 Resents Richard for his crimes
 Has bought the farm which is his dream house
 Is having an affair himself