Dysfunctional Families

This is one of the main themes throughout the book. The author shows through this novel that the dysfunction and abuse caused by parents is long ranging and far reaching. Joya, Adora’s mother, abused her, and Adora similarly abused her own daughters, killing one of them. All of the dysfunction seems to stem from a lack of compassion or connection with one another. Adora does not know how to show affection for her children except when taking care of them during illness, which is why she does it. She also gains prestige and attention from the community for taking care of such ‘sickly’ children.

The dysfunction ripples down to the children who manifest this disconnection even further. Camille becomes self-destructive in that she cuts herself. She abuses herself as a form of self love and emotional release. The author suggests that when Camille cuts...