58 pages • 1 hour read
Jodi PicoultHouse Rules
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2010A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
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Disability and the Perception of the “Other”
Throughout House Rules, Jacob’s interactions with neurotypical people highlight the theme of disability and the perception of the “other.” Jacob has autism, so he experiences the world differently from people who do not. His communication difficulties, adherence to routines, and intense focus on specific interests set him apart from his neurotypical peers. As a result, Jacob is often perceived as strange, awkward, or “other” by those around him, including classmates, teachers, and even his own family members.
This theme is emphasized through Jacob’s interactions with neurotypical people at school and in court. At school, he faces bullying, ridicule, and exclusion due to his differences, highlighting the stigma and discrimination that individuals with disabilities often encounter. In court, his need for accommodations is met with impatience, frustration, and misunderstanding from those who don’t grasp the complexities of his condition. Furthermore, while Jacob is on trial for Jess’s murder, his autism becomes a focal point of suspicion. Authorities and members of the community view his behaviors and mannerisms through a lens of prejudice and misconception. Long before Jacob is arrested for Jess’s murder, the very fact that he is different is seen as evidence of guilt. This misperception highlights the fact that people often fear what they do not understand. Picoult suggests that, when people are unwilling to challenge the biases and preconceived notions that they hold about individuals with disabilities, people like Jacob are victimized.
By exploring Jacob’s interaction with prejudiced people, House Rules questions society’s perceptions of disability and what it means to be “normal.” Jacob’s experiences highlight the importance of empathy, acceptance, and inclusion in society. As the story follows Jacob’s murder trial—and the repeated implication that having autism is synonymous with being dangerous—Picoult urges readers to see beyond their differences and embrace the diversity of human experiences.
Autistic Communication in a Neurotypical World
The theme of autistic communication in a neurotypical world is portrayed through the character of Jacob. As a teenager with autism, Jacob faces numerous challenges and misunderstandings due to the differences in how he communicates and perceives social interactions compared to neurotypical individuals.
One of the central aspects of Jacob’s communication style is his preference for literal language and adherence to rules. He often struggles with understanding and interpreting social cues, metaphors, sarcasm, and nonverbal communication, which are commonly used in neurotypical interactions. Because dominant American society operates on the assumption that neurotypical communication is the default, Jacob experiences frequent misunderstandings and miscommunications that create barriers in his relationships and daily interactions with others, especially at school.
For example, Jacob is confused when he corrects a teacher’s math error, and the teacher publicly humiliates him in front of the class. Because Jacob values honesty and knowledge, he is receptive to constructive criticism if it helps him learn and he assumes his teacher would feel the same. Instead, his teacher is embarrassed to be corrected by a student and responds by belittling Jacob in return. Humiliated, Jacob shoves the teacher away from him and is confused when he gets in trouble. In his mind, he was following his mother’s advice about standing up to bullies; he doesn’t understand why that advice changes if the bully is a teacher.
Jacob’s difficulty in expressing emotions and empathy is another aspect of his communication challenges. He often appears detached or insensitive to others’ feelings, not because he lacks empathy but because he struggles to convey it in conventional or neurotypical ways. This point highlights Picoult’s message that neurotypical people should educate themselves to understand more about the way people with autism communicate.
The contrast between Jacob’s communication style and that of his neurotypical brother, Theo, is also highlighted in the narrative. Theo effortlessly navigates social situations and communicates in a way that is more easily understood by others. This juxtaposition emphasizes the challenges faced by individuals like Jacob in a world that prioritizes neurotypical communication norms.
Despite these challenges, Jacob’s character also showcases the unique strengths and perspectives that come with autistic communication. His attention to detail, logical thinking, and ability to focus intensely on specific interests are portrayed as valuable traits that contribute to his success in certain areas, such as his passion for forensic science.
The Intersection of Parenthood and Identity
The intersection of parenthood and identity is explored through the characters of Emma Hunt and Rich Matson. Both characters are single parents who grapple with the complexities and challenges of parenting while facing personal struggles related to their own identities as protectors and advocates.
As a single mother raising two sons, one of whom has autism, Emma experiences profound emotional and psychological turmoil. She grapples with feelings of guilt, inadequacy, and the relentless pressure to be a perfect parent, especially in light of Jacob’s unique needs and challenges. Emma’s identity becomes deeply intertwined with her role as a caregiver and advocate for Jacob. She devotes much of her time and energy to understanding and supporting Jacob’s needs, often at the expense of her younger son Theo. Emma is aware that she is neglecting Theo, but she is drowning under the pressure of making a living, providing for their family, and acting as Jacob’s caregiver. Her relentless determination to ensure Jacob’s well-being reflects the sacrifices and selflessness inherent in parenthood while blurring the lines between her individual identity and her role as a mother. Through Emma’s character development as she learns to consider her own needs, which includes pursuing a relationship with Oliver, Picoult suggests that a parent’s identity should be based on more than just their children if they want to be happy.
By contrast, Rich Matson is a police officer and single father to a seven-year-old daughter Sasha. Like Emma, he was once happily married, and he struggles with the emotional aftermath of his marriage’s erosion. Rich shares custody of Sasha with his ex-wife, which means he only gets to see Sasha on weekends, and often has to leave her with a babysitter when he is called away to a crime scene. Rich longs to spend more time with Sasha, and every time he is forced to prioritize his job over his daughter, he feels inadequate as a father. However, he is also proud of his personal identity as a detective; he sees himself as a protector who fights to make the world safer for Sasha.
As Rich investigates the murder of Jess Ogilvy, he blurs the lines between his identity as a father and a detective. Because Jess is also someone’s daughter, Rich thinks of Sasha as he works Jess’s case; his fear that someone could hurt Sasha and rob him of his little girl motivates his aggressive pursuit of Jacob Hunt as a suspect. This fear also drives his recurring conflict with Emma. Like Rich, Emma sees herself as her child’s advocate and protector; when Rich manipulates Jacob during an interrogation, Emma identifies Rich as a threat she must fight. Rich and Emma’s actions are driven by their fierce love for their respective children and both are determined to protect their children even at the cost of destroying each other.
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By Jodi Picoult
