Parents and Children

This theme is explored on two main levels. The first is related to and defined by, Connie's relationship with her own mother, with her mother's mother (see "Quotes", p. 225), and with her daughter Angelina. The first is examined only on occasion, but on those occasions is portrayed quite vividly as confrontational and, on Connie's part, full of resentment. There is the clear sense that Connie wants to be free of everything her mother represents, but as an adult is frustrated, hurt, and angered that she has been unable to do so. This, in turn, seems to color the various aspects of her relationship with her daughter Angelina, which is on one level loving and sensitive, on another level violent and destructive. This aspect of their relationship, in Connie's past and in her present, is what gets her into her situation of incarceration and powerlessness. Meanwhile, Connie's...