Loneliness

This is kicker rock off of San Cristo Bal.  While the Galapagos Islands are fuming with the life of its unique inhabitants, the rock symbolizes the loneliness and hopelessness of Ree's endeavor in finding her father.  The rock is physically isolated from the island and its life; Jessup is physically not at home and absent from his role as father.  The rock is visible, but aloof and disconnected; Jessup is still very much interconnected with the Dolly relatives, but remains out of Ree's grasp regardless of whom she consults. Also, the contrast of the fluid expanse of the Atlantic with the rigid rock reflects Ree's escape into her headphones: "Once the pile of splits became big enough...she sat..., pulled headphones from a pocket and clamped them over her ears, then turned on The Sounds of Tranquil Shores"(9-10).