The orphanage is separate from the rest of the island, away from the village and pretty difficult to get to. They want to be apart from everyone else to keep anyone from finding out their secrets.

Jacob's dad thinks Jacob's admiration of Grandpa Abe is unhealthy because Dad doesn't think that Abe was a good person. To Dad, Grandpa is hardly a role model. He's just an adulterer and a bad father.

Jacob tries to see the good in Grandpa, though, and tries to understand and admire his accomplishments, like the fact that he survived the war and always lived with honor.