The Desire for Human Connection

The theme of Desiring Human Connection flows through many of the stories in this collection. The first instance, and appearance, is in the short story, "Love is Not a Pie" where both sisters realize that they didn't know their mother at all, and that her views on love and connection were different from what they had thought. This makes Ellen, the older sister, reconsider what it is that she truly wants, and realizes that she cannot marry John, whom she does not feel connected to.

Additionally, in "Hyacinths" David, as a boy, and as a grown man, desperately desires love and compassion from his family. Unfortunately, when he marries, he marries a woman who is very much like his emotionless and abusive father. It leaves him feeling even lonelier that before. Likewise, Susie in the story, "Light Breaks Where the Sun Doesn't...