Loss of Identity and Control

This novel examines the loss of identity and each character's desire to gain some control over the course of their lives. Some have more success with this than others. Maria allows others to make decisions for her—from where she lives and what she does to the biggest decision of all, the abortion. This loss of herself, of control over her own actions and decisions and life direction, is reflected in her manic freeway driving. When Maria can't handle what is happening, she "runs" by getting in the car and driving aimlessly for hours. These freeways, this open road, and this distancing herself from her life is an attempt to control the situation. Several of these freeway drives bring her to the desert and very close to her childhood hometown. With every difficult situation, Maria is, in effect, running home. But her parents...