I believe she was just the angel he needed to be successful here, and help him start all over again.

I think it's a great idea.

He's looking for a dog that will sit on his lap, give kisses, and be happy that they're together.

That is one strategy to help prepare the students. A teacher might also tackle a specific section of the narrative and teach that as a lesson, such as the who and what, or the when and where.

When in doubt, risk it

Man looks in the abyss, there's nothing staring back at him. At that moment, man finds his character. And that is what keeps him out of the abyss.