FAQ
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WTF is up with “The Stocks”?
Peacock Springs, New Jersey is a fictional town based on border towns along the Delaware River in both New Jersey & Pennsylvania.
This area is known for its connection to the American Revolution including the Battle of Trenton & Princeton.
The battles there called “Ten Crucial Days” included George Washington’s Christmas crossing, memorialized in the 1851 painting by Emanuel Leutze. This battle was considered by historians to be instrumental in regaining the waning confidence of the Continental Congress.
The stocks were employed by civil and military authorities from medieval to early modern times including Colonial America.
Public punishment in the stocks was a common occurrence until at least 1748.
Many Revolutionary War tourism spots, including Colonial Williamsburg, previously allowed these devices to be used for tourist photos.
This is rightfully changing and you can reference the full article titled “Crime and Punishment... and Human Rights” from 2021 to gain a full understanding of the dark side of these relics of the early American past.
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Ok, I get this part now... but used as modern punishment?
In an early draft, Lily reacts to discovering she’s been cheated on by her ex-husband by getting very drunk and setting a more significant fire to his possessions during tourist season while visitors watched.
Given the proximity of Grant’s home to the square and stocks, the punishment was established in connection to a town festival. Lily’s punishment was to be part of a town activity to assist with tourism – a main income driver of the town.
Visually, this was similar to Rory Gilmore as a Pilgrim or Taylor Doose as a Red Coat.
The intent was not to shame her for being cheated on.
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What is wrong with Lily’s parents?
Great question. Honestly, if I could answer that I could also fire my own therapist.
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Are all of the adults in Peacock Springs on board with what is happening?
No. These are unreliable narrators!!!
Lily is observing things through her own insecure lens with unregulated Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria & Emotional Regulation Skill Development.
River only overheard the meeting at nineteen, and didn’t catch everything.
There is no omniscient narration to clear these issues up. There are holes poked in their viewpoints by Delia, Prudence, and others throughout the story.
*The region was originally home to the Lenape, Delaware, Susquehannock, Nanticoke, and the Shawnee tribes.
