Blankets...

First, taking a look at page 11 this is the first place where you see the mention of blankets. You see the illustration of the little brother Phil tugging on his older brother saying "Hey, you're HOGGING all the blankets." In childish fun the boys play around in bed and Phil pushing Craig off the bed and they are too loud and their dad comes up to punish them for the noisiness. The blanket here is a sign of innocence for the two boys and it protects them from the shelter of their father. 

Second, skipping ahead you see the next reference of blankets on page 69 you see the boys once again laying in bed this time the blanket isn't wanted by Craig. He proclaims "'GET THAT BLANKET AWAY FROM ME." In this panel the boys are struggling to sleep in the hot summer heat. In the next panel you see Phil take the blanket and throw it off the bed once again on the floor. This symbolizes the idea of entrapment that Craig can not escape what is intended for him and he is suffocating. There is another panel shortly after when the boys are freezing in the winter weather, on page 73. In this panel you see the boys freezing cold in bed because the heat won't work in the house. Craig exclaims "Our top blanket is frozen to the wall." Phil responds "DON'T BREAK IT!" This scene allows you to see the children as vulnerable, that something is so precious to them as a blanket. The blanket symbolizes a bond, a protection, a security for the boys. It  is cherished and it is a love they both share.

As the boys grow up and lose their childhood innocence you see a third reference to a blanket. On pages 183 and 184, Craig receives a different kind of blanket. Raina is his first love, and she made him a quilt, this is a patchwork piece of all that reminds her of him. For Craig this not only symbolizes a new chapter in his life one with real love but also it brings back the feelings he had with the blanket shared with Phil. The blanket from Raina represented a warmth, compassion, love and security. 

This story of the blankets Craig had is similar to the story of Oranges Aren't the Only Fruit. This is also a struggle for the little girl Jeanette to find herself, they both struggled with different issues but both just want to be loved. There is also a struggle with their inner demons to find themselves through their passions. Their religion is important and they both love God but the only difference is Jeanette sinned in the eyes of religion but still wants a relationship with God whereas Craig, has a relationship with God and is struggling with the misfortunes he was dealt. The stories have similar struggles but both just want to be loved.