White Oleander | Themes

White Oleander Themes

Poisonous Love

Not all love is created equal. Ingrid loves her daughter in her own self-absorbed way, but her love suffocates Astrid, because Ingrid sees her as an extension of herself rather than an individual. Ingrid is a strong, beautiful woman whose overwhelming presence casts a long shadow on her young, vulnerable daughter, and it takes a long time for Astrid to outgrow her and find her own voice.

Astrid's first love is Ray, a man more than old enough to be her father. She loves him almost desperately, and he, knowing better, gives in to her young innocent charm instead of setting boundaries. Their relationship sets off a chain of disastrous events, first causing Starr to return to abusing alcohol. In her erratic, drunken state, Starr lashes out at her children, driving Carolee away from home and injuring young Davey. It all ends in a bloodbath when Starr shoots Astrid and...
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