In this novel, Carol Shields explores the theme of displacement or estrangement as well as its natural consequence, suffering. The most obvious example is the estrangement between Reta and her oldest daughter, Norah. However, this estrangement also extends to other members of the family, including her husband, Tom, their two other daughters, and her mother-in-law, Lois. Throughout the novel, there are no attempts by the characters to comfort each other in the face of what can only be described as a destructive change to their family.
Tom and Reta seem to have a relationship with little cohesiveness or common interests. He demonstrates no interest in her writing; she only tolerates his hobby of studying trilobites. His mother is even further removed from Reta. Although Lois eats dinner every night with Tom and his family, there is.....
This is a free excerpt of 135 words. This section contains 1,329 words. This
study guide contains 22,893 words (approx. 76 pages at 300
words per page).
Read the rest of this Literature Guide with our Unless Access Pass.
