We all know it's really easy to blame other people, especially when you don't know their whole story. And even more especially when you are feeling hurt yourself. Walk Two Moons is all about what happens when you blame someone without really understanding that person. The message, "don't judge a person until you've walked two moons in their moccasins," appears again and again in this book because our awesome author knows that once you've done this – once you've empathized with someone – you might just realize just how much you have in common. And then, of course, it's easier to forgive and to move on. Unfortunately, Walk Two Moons also shows us that sometimes there just isn't anyone to blame for all of the sadness and pain in life. Bad things can happen in life, and it's no one's fault.
Questions About Guilt and Blame
- Does Sal blame anyone for the fact that her mother left?
- Does Sal feel guilty about anything? What, exactly?
- Do you blame Sal for not liking Mrs. Cadaver?
- Do you think Sal's dad feels guilty about his wife leaving?
Chew on This
Sal dearly wants someone to blame for her mother's leaving, but she realizes that there is no one to blame.
Sal doesn't blame Phoebe for her crazy theories and judgey behavior, because she sees herself in Phoebe. She misses her own mother the way Phoebe misses hers.