Holling Hoodhood

The Wednesday Wars

Holling Hoodhood's Parents

            Mr. and Mrs. Hoodhood seem to disregard every word Holling explains to them.  Holling approaches his mom to inform her, always feeling like he has to convince her, and explains to his mother that his teacher Ms. Baker despises him.  Mrs. Hoodhood denies that Mrs. Baker detests Holling even though she doesn't even know the details.  As she is told by Holling what took place at school that day, the information goes in through one ear and out the other.  Not even listening to what her son just told her, she automatically takes the teachers side without really knowing the full story.  In disbelief of how oblivious his mother is, Holling goes and looks for the hope of a decent ally against his teacher "out to get him".  Holling's father is an architect that owns a company Hoohhood and Associates.  Hoodhood and Associates was being considered for an immense deal with the Baker Family's Sporting Emporium and their new building.   Holling's father was watching his Walter Cronkite show when Holling came and explains his problem with his new grade seven teacher Ms. Baker loathing him.  The first response Mr. Hoodhood has is "What did you do?"  As Holling explains his innocence and Mrs. Baker "hating his guts," all that registers to Mr. Hoodhood is that Ms. Baker is part of the Baker family that is choosing the architect for the new building for the Baker Sporting Emporium.  At that moment all that Holling's dad is interested in is ordering Holling to respect and praise Mrs. Baker for the sake of the Hoodhood and Associates chances of succeeding.  For Holling this wasn't a surprise because his perfectionist father usually doesn't pay much attention to him just their "Perfect House."  Holling's house is always trying to be improved by his parents.  The exterior of his house is smooth, bleach white which Mr. Hoodhood paints every year.  The azaleas are all the same size to match the perfect walkway leading up to the perfect porch.  The door that never squeaks opens into an uncomfortable living room perfectly covered in plastic.  Instead of spending time with his family Mr. Hoodhood searches for something in the house to improve and perfect.  Holling feels like all his dad really cares about is his house and work.  But Holling must realize that his father works for him and does love him.  Holling doesn't think that his parents really care or love Holling but I think that throughout this book Holling will begin to realize that his parents do everything for Holling and his sister.  Hopefully Holling will understand his unique family and that his family truly does love both him and his sister.

Christina Z