In this novel, Conroy confronts the ugly existence of physical and emotional abuse as inflicted by a parent upon his spouse and children. He examines the struggle which the protagonist, Ben Meecham, experiences as he vacillates between feelings of love and hate for his authoritarian Marine father, bomber pilot Bull Meecham. Having experienced a similar family situation, Conroy brings an insight to his depiction making it particularly urgent.
His examination involves close scrutiny of the effects of Bull's beatings and verbal barrage upon his four children and his wife. Bull's approach blends Marine discipline with an uncontrollable desire for perfection in and adulation from his family members. Each individual is affected differently, but all join to form a solid support for one another. Thus Conroy's efforts reflect the survival instinct found in abused children who.....
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