Women’s Roles

Karin Slaughter, the author of The Good Daughter, addresses the many roles that women fill as daughters, wives, lawyers, mothers, teachers, and even killers. Slaughter argues that women often feel pressured to conform to socially accepted norms instead of being individuals.

Gamma, the mother of Charlie and Sam, is an example of a woman trying to "fit in" with society's norms. Although Gamma was, perhaps, better suited to a life dedicated to research, she tried to be content as a housewife and mother.

Gamma, whose proper name is Harriet, sets her daughters up for a better chance at success when she gives them names that can be shorted to names that could belong to a man. Samantha’s name is shortened to Sam, and Charlotte is shortened to Charlie. It is only when Sam is older that she comes to appreciate her mother’s...