Animal Dreams Summary & Key Insights

Barbara Kingsolver's Animal Dreams follows Codi Noline's return to her small, isolated Arizona hometown of Grace after a decade spent as a struggling artist in New Mexico. The novel unfolds through Codi's perspective, exploring her complex relationship with her family, her past, and the encroaching forces of modernization threatening her community's traditional way of life.

Codi's homecoming is tinged with a sense of unease and unresolved issues. Her relationship with her mother, Alice, is strained by years of distance and unspoken resentments, mirroring the larger tension between the younger generation and their elders' attachment to the past. Alice, a strong and independent woman, is grappling with the slow decline of her health and the changing landscape around her. Their interactions reveal a painful history of unspoken expectations and difficult choices.

The novel centers around the imminent threat of a proposed dam that would flood the entire town, forcing its inhabitants to relocate. This looming environmental catastrophe serves as a powerful metaphor for the larger themes of displacement, loss of identity, and the conflict between progress and preservation. The potential flooding forces the community to confront their internal divisions and grapple with their collective future, highlighting the inherent tension between individual desires and the needs of the community.

Several significant secondary characters contribute to the narrative's richness. Codi's younger sister, Elvira, embodies the ambition and frustration of youth, choosing to pursue education and opportunity outside of Grace. The character of Bartholomew, a mysterious newcomer, adds a layer of romantic intrigue and provides a contrast to Codi's more introspective nature. Other characters, such as the elderly residents and the local activists, represent the diverse perspectives within the community facing the impending threat.

Throughout the novel, Codi struggles with her own personal demons, including her feelings of inadequacy as an artist and her inability to fully connect with the people around her. She seeks solace in observing the natural world, particularly the animals around Grace, which acts as a kind of emotional anchor and source of wisdom in her life. The recurring animal imagery, both literal and metaphorical, underlines themes of interconnectedness, resilience, and the importance of respecting the natural environment.

Ultimately, Animal Dreams is a story about homecoming, both literal and metaphorical. Codi's return to Grace isn't merely geographical; it's a return to herself and a confrontation with the complexities of family, community, and the environmental challenges of the modern world. The novel subtly criticizes the relentless march of progress at the expense of environmental and social harmony, while also exploring the enduring power of human connection and the resilience of the human spirit amidst adversity.