Rock Paper Scissors by Alice Feeney is a complex psychological thriller that masterfully weaves together themes of deception, betrayal, and the enduring power of the past. Set against the backdrop of a troubled marriage, the novel explores how secrets can erode trust and how the weight of past actions can shape the present. Through intricate plot twists and unreliable narrators, Feeney crafts a suspenseful narrative that challenges our perceptions of truth and justice.
Major Themes
Secrets and Deception
Secrets and Deception are central to the narrative of Rock Paper Scissors, driving the plot through layers of hidden truths and calculated misdirection. Every character is either keeping a secret or is the victim of deception, creating a constant sense of tension and unreliability. The novel explores how these hidden truths can distort relationships and lead to devastating consequences, questioning the very foundation of trust.
Marriage and Betrayal
The framework of a struggling marriage serves as a lens through which the novel examines the multifaceted nature of betrayal. Marriage and Betrayal explores how partners can betray one another through infidelity, emotional neglect, and profound deceptions about their identities. The story questions the very foundations of commitment when trust is nonexistent, revealing the fragility of marital bonds under the weight of deceit.
The Inescapable Past
A core tenet of the novel is that the past is a relentless force that shapes the present and future. Characters attempt to run from, rewrite, or bury their histories, but their past traumas and mistakes inevitably catch up to them, demanding a reckoning. This theme is detailed further on the The Inescapable Past page.
Identity and Misperception
The novel constantly questions the nature of identity, exploring how easily it can be mistaken, manipulated, or stolen. It highlights the vast gap between who people appear to be and who they truly are, a theme made literal by Adam's neurological condition. For more on this, see the Identity and Misperception page.
Revenge and Justice
The novel delves into the powerful human drive for retribution, blurring the lines between a righteous quest for justice and a dark, all-consuming desire for revenge. The plot is structured as a meticulous and cruel game designed to punish past wrongs.
Truth, Fiction, and Storytelling
As a novel populated by writers, Rock Paper Scissors constantly blurs the lines between what is real and what is a story. It questions the reliability of any single narrative and explores the immense power of storytellers to shape, distort, and control reality.
Supporting Themes
- Isolation: The remote setting of Blackwater Chapel amplifies the characters' emotional isolation, creating an environment where secrets can fester and betrayals can thrive. This isolation contributes to the characters' vulnerability and their susceptibility to manipulation.
- Guilt: The weight of past actions and hidden truths fuels a pervasive sense of guilt among the characters. Adam's guilt over his mother's death, Amelia's guilt over her crime, and Robin's guilt over her vengeful plan all contribute to the novel's atmosphere of suspense and moral ambiguity.
- Love and Obsession: The novel explores the fine line between love and obsession, particularly in the context of Robin's relentless pursuit of revenge. Her obsession with Adam and Amelia blurs the boundaries of love, transforming it into a destructive force.
Theme Interactions
The themes in Rock Paper Scissors are deeply interconnected, each one fueling and complicating the others.
- Secrets and Deception ⇄ Marriage and Betrayal: The marriage between Adam and Amelia is built on a foundation of secrets, with Amelia's deception about her past serving as the ultimate betrayal. Adam's own secrets, such as his affair, contribute to the decay of his first marriage.
- The Inescapable Past → Revenge and Justice: The characters' pasts directly motivate the revenge plot. Robin seeks revenge for the betrayal that destroyed her marriage, demonstrating that the past is an active force demanding justice.
- Identity and Misperception ⇄ Truth, Fiction, and Storytelling: Adam's inability to perceive identity allows other characters to construct false narratives. Amelia creates a fictional identity, and Robin rewrites her own story by becoming an author, suggesting that identity is a story we tell ourselves and others.
Character Embodiment
- Robin: Embodies Revenge and Justice, meticulously plotting to punish Adam and Amelia for their betrayals. She also represents Truth, Fiction, and Storytelling, manipulating narratives to achieve her goals.
- Amelia: Represents Secrets and Deception, living under a false identity and concealing her past crime. She also embodies The Inescapable Past, as her actions are driven by her attempt to atone for or escape her crime.
- Adam: Symbolizes Identity and Misperception through his prosopagnosia, making him vulnerable to manipulation. He also represents Guilt, haunted by his role in his mother's death and his infidelity.