Family Dynamics

Lapena uses the theme of family dynamics to explore the different aspects of the characters’ backgrounds that influence how they get along with others. Socioeconomic class is a significant dividing factor between Marco and Anne’s family. The Drieses, especially Richard, view Marco as not good enough for Anne. However, on another level, the Dries’ unwillingness to accept Marco has created a distance between Anne and her parents. When Anne first remarks on her parents in Chapter 4, Lapena narrates, “Anne has a complicated relationship with her parents” (29). As the novel goes on, most of Anne’s individual thoughts about her parents are positive. She trusts her mother with the secret of her dissociative disorder and believes that her parents will support her by giving her money to get Cora back. Anne’s greatest issue with her parents is their problem with Marco. This layered relationship...