Owen and Abby - What Next?

[gymmy64]

the relationship she's developed with Owen far surpasses anything from her past...Abby's newfound relationship is the greatest she's ever seen.

It could very well turn out that way, or at the very least, Owen could end up as her final love. Since we don't know much of Abby's past, is what you wrote above something you just feel or assume, or is there something in the film that indicates this? I understand why one might choose to think this...you always want to believe that the person you are currently with is the love of your life...until the next one comes along, that is.

The reason why I believed that Thomas and Abby weren't boyfriend and girlfriend were that she didn't know what going steady meant when Owen asked her if she wanted to go steady.

I'm not sure of this. For one thing, based on age, it seems Abby and Thomas hooked up sometime around WW2. Was the phrase "going steady" even used then? And if it was, does it follow therefore that Thomas necessarily used it?

I found it puzzling Abby didn't know what Owen meant. "Going steady" was a popular term in the USA during the '50s and '60s. While I sort of believe that a Swedish child might not recognize the phrase (although I actually believe Oskar asked Eli "for a chance", or something similar), I thought it strange that Abby didn't know its meaning, unless she never went to the movies or watched television or hung out with other kids during that time period. In any case, people have been "going steady" way before the phrase was invented, so I wouldn't look to Abby's unfamiliarity with it as an indication she'd never done it.

[rgh]

I found it puzzling Abby didn't know what Owen meant. "Going steady" was a popular term in the USA during the '50s and '60s. While I sort of believe that a Swedish child might not recognize the phrase (although I actually believe Oskar asked Eli "for a chance", or something similar), I thought it strange that Abby didn't know its meaning, unless she never went to the movies or watched television or hung out with other kids during that time period. In any case, people have been "going steady" way before the phrase was invented, so I wouldn't look to Abby's unfamiliarity with it as an indication she'd never done it.

It may not have been that she didn't understand what "Going steady" meant, but she didn't know exactly what he thought it meant. That is, what did he expect from her by going steady. If her history is anything like Eli's, she may have been concerned that he wanted sex. We don't know much about her relationship with Thomas, and nothing about any other relationship. I think that it is not unreasonable to expect that some of her history is unpleasant like Eli's, given it is based on the same source material.

[ColBlair]

I found it puzzling Abby didn't know what Owen meant. "Going steady" was a popular term in the USA during the '50s and '60s. While I sort of believe that a Swedish child might not recognize the phrase (although I actually believe Oskar asked Eli "for a chance", or something similar), I thought it strange that Abby didn't know its meaning, unless she never went to the movies or watched television or hung out with other kids during that time period. In any case, people have been "going steady" way before the phrase was invented, so I wouldn't look to Abby's unfamiliarity with it as an indication she'd never done it.

It may not have been that she didn't understand what "Going steady" meant, but she didn't know exactly what he thought it meant. That is, what did he expect from her by going steady. If her history is anything like Eli's, she may have been concerned that he wanted sex. We don't know much about her relationship with Thomas, and nothing about any other relationship. I think that it is not unreasonable to expect that some of her history is unpleasant like Eli's, given it is based on the same source material.

That's true.

[DavidZahir]

Very true. There's also the possibility that maybe she was pretending--to herself--not to know what those words mean, as part of her tried to be the twelve-year-old girl she once was and wished she still could be. The human mind does all kinds of things in trying to live with horror.

[ColBlair]

I do believe too that Abby wants to be around other 12 year olds, even only it's a limited time.

[rgh]

I do believe too that Abby wants to be around other 12 year olds, even only it's a limited time.

It would be perfectly natural for her to want to be around kids her own (mental) age. It has to be frustrating for her to be around an adult all the time. No matter how close she was to Thomas, at his age (and maturity level), they would have likely grown apart. He's not going to want to play or do childish things, and she's not going to want to do the boring things we do as adults. She no doubt feels isolated despite having Thomas around.

[waggy05]

It could very well turn out that way, or at the very least, Owen could end up as her final love.

this is what I'm talking about. I mean who knows? maybe Abby hasn't even been in love before? Owen could be her first and last real love. we will never know for sure, so I go with what makes me content.

[sauvin]

It could very well turn out that way, or at the very least, Owen could end up as her final love.

this is what I'm talking about. I mean who knows? maybe Abby hasn't even been in love before? Owen could be her first and last real love. we will never know for sure, so I go with what makes me content.

Go with what you like, with what makes you feel good about the story.

However, there's really nothing in the movie to support definitively the assertion that she has had lovers in the past, or has not. It's suggested that she has, at least once, with the Thomas she'd just spent the past four decades or so with. I don't believe there's any evidence of any prior relationships, but if she's Eli's age physically, she's almost bound to've had a few. Her openness, quickness to express (and accept) physical affection and to some degree her suggestiveness do absolutely nothing to contraindicate past relationships.

If she's Eli's age physically, one presumes she'd have been knocking around this part of the world since about the same time Ben Franklin (et al) were busy telling King George where to put it. If I'm reading the movie correctly (which is far from guaranteed), what's being shown here is one cycle of Abby's existence where relationships are concerned - she doesn't (necessarily) look for minders, but she's certainly not above being open to a new relationship when the opportunity arises, particularly when her present involvement is with somebody whose term is likely to end soon (death by natural causes, misadventure, etc). There's no reason to believe Own is particularly special, any more special than Thomas had been when he'd been twelve (or any less special, either, for that matter).

[DavidZahir]

However, there's really nothing in the movie to support definitively the assertion that she has had lovers in the past, or has not. It's suggested that she has, at least once, with the Thomas she'd just spent the past four decades or so with. I don't believe there's any evidence of any prior relationships, but if she's Eli's age physically, she's almost bound to've had a few. Her openness, quickness to express (and accept) physical affection and to some degree her suggestiveness do absolutely nothing to contraindicate past relationships.

I'm a little uncomfortable with the word "lover" in this context. I would say it is a question of whether she has loved, or found love. But maybe that's just me.

If she's Eli's age physically, one presumes she'd have been knocking around this part of the world since about the same time Ben Franklin (et al) were busy telling King George where to put it. If I'm reading the movie correctly (which is far from guaranteed), what's being shown here is one cycle of Abby's existence where relationships are concerned - she doesn't (necessarily) look for minders, but she's certainly not above being open to a new relationship when the opportunity arises, particularly when her present involvement is with somebody whose term is likely to end soon (death by natural causes, misadventure, etc). There's no reason to believe Owen is particularly special, any more special than Thomas had been when he'd been twelve (or any less special, either, for that matter).

True, save perhaps for the idea that Abby might find each of her companions special.

I recall Lindqvist called LTROI a message to never give up on love. Maybe LMI in some ways reiterates this if Abby has found love more than once.

[waggy05]

sauvin... you bring up some very good points. I think this whole subject has a very opaque feel to it. we can't be certain of anything, we have a few hints/clues here and there but ultimately we don't know anything for sure. that is why I pick the situation or conclusion that sits best with me.

...and for the record I will say it again. I believe Abby & Owen are soulmates. (although I'm not sure how I feel about the whole "soulmate" concept in the real world haha).