Overview
The opening chapters of "Holes" introduce Camp Green Lake, its harsh environment, and the main character, Stanley Yelnats, as he travels to the camp after being convicted of a crime he didn't commit.
Camp Green Lake Description
- Camp Green Lake is now a dry, flat wasteland, formerly the largest lake in Texas over a hundred years ago.
- There are only two old oak trees providing minimal shade, which is reserved for the camp warden.
- Wildlife includes rattlesnakes and scorpions, which generally don't bother people unless provoked.
- The most dangerous creature is the yellow-spotted lizard; its bite is always fatal.
Purpose and Nature of the Camp
- Camp Green Lake is a camp for boys who have committed crimes, not a traditional summer camp.
- Most boys sent there have no choice; it is an alternative to jail.
- The philosophy is that digging holes in the sun will reform bad boys.
Stanley Yelnats' Background and Journey
- Stanley was given a choice by a judge: jail or Camp Green Lake.
- He is from a poor family and has never attended a camp before.
- Stanley rides a bus to the camp, handcuffed and accompanied by a guard.
Stanley’s Personal History and Family
- Stanley has faced bullying and insensitive treatment at school due to his weight.
- The Yelnats family jokes about a curse placed on them by a one-legged gypsy, blaming their bad luck on Stanley's great-great-grandfather.
- Stanley’s father is an inventor who perseveres despite repeated failures and believes in learning from failure.
- The family maintains hope despite their misfortunes and poor living conditions.
- Stanley’s arrest is linked to his father’s latest invention project involving old sneakers.
Family Legacy
- The name Stanley Yelnats is a palindrome and passed down through generations.
- The first Stanley Yelnats made a fortune but lost it to the outlaw Kissin Kate Barlow, adding to the family's lore of bad luck.
Arrival at Camp Green Lake
- As Stanley arrives, he notes that the area looks nothing like a lake and is not green.