| Ellen, James, and their two children have moved in with James' parents, and Ellen is unhappy. In fact, no one likes the arrangement except for James. James' parents were set in their lifestyle and didn't want the intrusion, and Ellen and the children don't want to live with them anyway. James is oblivious to his family's discomfort, or doesn't care. He is gone much of the time anyway, as a traveling salesman. Ellen is also resentful because the reason they moved in with James' parents is because James got laid off at his job in another state, but wouldn't look for another job there.
Each of James' parents is abusive in different ways, which doesn't make for a happy life for anyone in the house. Ellen does not question James' actions and her family also pressures her to maintain the status quo. She continues day to day to teach full-time, care for her children, and cook and clean for James and his parents, but she begins to act more and more erratically as her hatred of her life grows, and even begins taking sleeping pills. | ||
|
Plot & Themes Tone of book? - depressed Time/era of story - 1960's-1970's Family, struggle with Yes Struggle with: - In-laws Is this an adult or child's book? - Adult or Young Adult Book Main Character Gender - Female Profession/status: Age: - 20's-30's Ethnicity/Nationality Main Adversary Identity: - Male Age: - 20's-30's Profession/status: How sensitive is this character? Intelligence - Average intelligence Setting How much descriptions of surroundings? - 4 () United States Yes The US: - Midwest Writing Style Sex in book? Yes What kind of sex: - vague references only - touching of anatomy Amount of dialog - roughly even amounts of descript and dialog |
||