November Blues

In the very first chapters, it becomes clear that Jericho blames himself for Josh’s death, and dealing with guilt becomes one of the main challenges for him after the accident. Josh was not only Jericho’s cousin, but he also was his best friend, and Jericho suffers tremendous guilt for watching Josh die and not saving him. When he finds out that November is pregnant and that her whole life is about to change because of the baby, he also blames himself for it, thinking that if Josh were alive, November wouldn’t have to sacrifice so much and be a single parent. Although November assures Jericho that Josh’s death was an accident, he keeps holding himself accountable for his cousin’s death and struggles to overcome his guilt. His healing begins only when he allows himself to cry and “to feel real” (291), finally finding an outlet for “months of anger, sorrow, and tension” (291).

Similarly, November feels guilty for getting pregnant and disappointing her mother. November knows that her mother had very high expectations for her daughter's life, and she blames herself for ruining these expectations. Mrs. Nelson, however, despite her initial frustration and pain, does not scorn November and instead lovingly helps her daughter deal with the new reality.