The Mosquito Coast

Typically, the Fox family gets what they need from local landfills, but Allie takes them on a rare shopping trip. Charlie is bothered by staring strangers. They enter a K-Mart, fascinating Charlie, overwhelmed by the abundance of products. Allie engages with the store associates. Each time a product is recommended, Allie finds fault, criticizing its low quality and country of origin. Allie uses xenophobic and racist commentary and takes a combative attitude with employees at the store, embarrassing Charlie. Eventually, they buy a significant number of outdoor supplies and seeds.

Charlie is sent to Polski’s house to deliver Allie’s letter of resignation. Polski asks Charlie to remain with him on the porch, and proceeds to tell the story of a convict named Moody, who was executed by hanging by the state of Massachusetts. On the morning of his execution Moody, who had been engaged in criminal activity of one type or another since childhood, asks only to speak to his father. His request granted, he draws his father in close to him on the premise of whispering, but instead bites his father’s ear off. This gesture is a punishment because Moody believes that his father is responsible for the trajectory of his life and his resulting predicament.