As in Final Payments (1978), Gordon explores the Irish-American experience.

Like Isabel, Cam resolves to extricate herself from others' expectations and begin to lead her own life. Like Margaret Casey in Final Payments, and Laura in Men and Angels (1985), Theresa is an example of the religious impulse carried to disastrous extremes.

As in her previous works, Gordon explores the theme of parental-child relationships, the unfulfilled need for love, and the power of human beings to damage each other because they are incapable of love.