Relationships

The lack of meaningful relationships that Eleanor has shared within her lifetime has caused Eleanor to feel unsupported in her life. Raymond assesses the circumstance, stating, “Eleanor, it can’t have been easy for you. You don’t have any brothers or sisters, you dad’s never been around and you said that you have quite a… difficult relationship with you mum?” (158). Eleanor’s new friend recognizes that the absence of family backing in Eleanor’s life has impeded other aspects of her life. She has struggled to establish friendships for most of her life, leaving her to feel like she must take on all the burdens she faces entirely on her own.

This precedent of loneliness allows for Eleanor to be vulnerable to negative relationship experiences. Eleanor reflects on her ex-boyfriend Declan, who was violent with her as well as making her feel emotionally insignificant...