Isolation and Abandonment

Kya’s life is generally defined by a state of isolation, and although this isolation fosters independence and self-reliance, the narrative portrays Kya’s isolation and abandonment more as harmful to Kya’s sense of self than helpful. This process begins when Kya is a young child. Her mother and siblings each leave to live on their own and escape Pa’s abuse. The narration states, “She knew Pa was the reason they all left; what she wondered was why no one took her with them” (13). Pa eventually leaves as well, leaving Kya to live entirely on her own. Thus, Kya’s formative years are directly shaped by a sense of abandonment and forced self-reliance, thereby beginning a cycle of pain and isolation. One of the central tensions of the novel is Kya’s struggle to overcome these deleterious personal dynamics and form healthy...