Holling is a seventh-grader in the book The Wednesday Wars. He attends Camillo Junior High on suburban Long Island, during the 1967-1968 year. The book takes place against the backdrop the Vietnam War. Holling is taught by Mrs. Baker. Holling is being taught by Mrs. Baker while her husband, Mr. Baker, fights in Vietnam. Holling can learn a lot from Mrs. Baker, including social advice and Shakespeare. Holling is taught life lessons by Mrs. Baker’s conflict in Wednesday Wars. Holling then uses those lessons to break through boundaries later on. Holling learns lessons from Mrs. Baker about his friends, family and himself that he then uses in the Wednesday Wars.
Mrs. Baker’s most profound insight is that Holling should value his family. Holling applies the lesson he learned in this book to his sister’s stranding and her call from Minneapolis. In spite of his father’s wishes, Holling does all he can to save her. This shows his deep love for his family, which Mrs. Baker taught him. Mrs. Baker reinforces Holling’s lesson by pointing out the strong emotional ties between Mrs. Baker and Lt. Tybalt Baker. Holling makes great use of this with Meryl Kowalski, his lover. Strawberries and roses represent the two items. The time of Lt. Baker’s expected return is represented by the picking of the strawberry, and Holling’s relationship with Meryl is shown by the rose. Holling holds the rose up for Meryl at the Cross-Country Meet, an important moment of their growing affection. Second, Mrs. Baker shows Holling how important friends like Danny Hupfer or Doug Swieteck are. Mrs. Baker tells Holling that a friend should be loyal, supportive and kind. He had never known a real friend. Holling begins to make true friends throughout the book. Doug Swieteck stands up in front his brother to defend him and even gets a blackeye. Holling realizes that his friends are always there for him, as shown by the fact that Doug Swieteck stood up for him in front of his brother and got a black eye for it.
Mrs. Baker shows Holling also that friendship, like Romeo & Juliet, can triumph above boundaries. Holling is also shown to be in love with Meryl Lee despite conflict between her and the Hoodhood family, which are rival architects. Mrs. Baker also teaches Holling the importance of caring for others. The reader will feel this feeling in the penultimate chapter of the novel. Mrs. Baker is Holling’s friend and Mr. Hoodhood is not. Holling is made to feel insignificant by Mrs. Baker’s conflict. Holling comes to understand that the world is bigger than him and that suffering is relative. Holling only thinks about himself at the beginning of the novel. He does not think about the bigger conflicts around the world, such as Vietnam. After school, Holling tells Mrs. Baker, “It’s just not your picture that’s in the hallways or that you’re worried about that much,” I replied. The face of Mrs. Baker turned suddenly white. She slid her Shakespeare book into the lower drawer in her desk and closed it. Loudly. She said, “Sit down and correct the mistakes on your Macbeth test,”. It was me. We did not speak to eachother again that entire afternoon. Even when I went. (Schmidt, 110). Holling has many problems of a first world nature, while other people have life-changing challenges. Holling claims irrationally to be the victim. It causes Mrs. Baker to be angry with Holling, but it resolves quickly (relatively).
Holling’s realization of his insignificance comes from the fact that certain things (values/ideals), which are bigger than a single person, are also important. His sister, who is trying to be the flower girl in his book, and his parents, who are united by their nationalist views, both help him realize this. Heather first appears in the October Chapter with a face painted with flowers. She tells Hoodhood that “a flower child does not harm anyone and is beautiful.” . . “We Believe in Peace, Understanding and Freedom. We believe in helping and sharing with each other. We will change this world. . . “I need support because I believe in something greater than me.” (36-37). These words are used to express positive values and ideals. Holling is also able to see this through the patriotism of his parents. Holling’s parents are shown holding hands in March, even though they normally have a strained relationship. They share a similar cause, which is America. Holling was shocked to see his parents holding hands. Heather, who is a radical leftist, often parades around the Hoodhood house, but Holling, whose parents are married, showing affection towards each other? Holling was shocked, because he hadn’t been aware of this throughout the book. Holling’s confrontation with Mrs. Baker makes him realize that he must be independent. Holling also learns to accept that he alone is responsible for his own destiny.
But when I look at you, you’re just the Son Who is Going to Inherit Hoodhood and Associates.” He says back, “It’s the same thing.” You’re not your own person, Holling. I’m just the son who will inherit Hoodhood and Associates. I say to him, “It’s the same.” (37) Another time, Holling asks his parents for permission to attend the Alabama Military Institute in January of the book, but his father refuses to even consider the idea after he gets the contract. Holling is taught by Mrs. Baker to become himself through the Shakespearean play The Merchant of Venice. By the end of the month, Holling and Mrs. Baker discuss the importance of becoming who you’re meant to be. Holling demonstrates this by saying to Mrs. Baker after school on Wednesday that “This Mr. Hoodhood is ridiculous.” “Mrs. Baker?” . . . “Couldn’t you call ‘Mr. Hoodhood’? It sounds as if you are talking to my dad.” . . “But, you’re the one who will decide,” said Mrs. Baker. I gave a nod in agreement. I decided to make my own decision. (219-220). Holling tries to separate himself from his dad and decide his own fate, much like Heather who ran away. Holling also realizes that his efforts will be rewarded if they are put into something. This is an important change in attitude from when he started the book and was extremely negative about his capabilities. Holling is a good example. He focuses on winning a race after being encouraged.
Holling is changed in many ways by Mrs. Baker. Holling, for example, stops thinking about him and realizes that others are struggling more than he, as Mrs. Baker worries about Mr. Baker in Vietnam. He comes to realize this when he receives the message that Lt. Baker had been reported missing and observes Mrs. Baker’s reactions. Holling is taught many other valuable lessons by Mrs. Baker. These lessons are useful in many situations. The lessons that Holling learns are lessons for life, and he applies them immediately. Holling will be forever grateful to Mrs. Baker, who taught him all of these valuable lessons.
