Etta and Henry’s Home, United States, 1958–1972

Etta and Henry’s home is the site of Cecilia’s childhood. It shares Etta’s experience attempting to meet the expectations of mothers in the average mid-twentieth-century White, suburban American home. When Etta cannot meet these demands, she descends into the cruelty of child abuse, threatening Cecilia’s life and overall well-being. Etta eventually hangs herself in the front lawn of the home she had desperately sought over a decade before. The trauma that Etta and Cecilia perpetuate and experience in their home continues to influence their maternal line as Blythe and Violet mature in their own rights.

Cecilia and Seb’s Home, United States, 1975–1986

Cecilia and Seb’s home is the site of Blythe’s childhood. This home is vaguely set in the average American suburb. Here, Blythe experiences neglect and physical and emotional abuse from her own mother. She...