Essay Questions

What is the relationship between Michael and his family?

Having an abusive father, Michael hates the way his family has raised him. Despite this, there is no way but him helping to think that this abusive behavior is normal, because he has been around it his whole life. Michael loves his mother much more than his father, but still blames her for some of the abuse that the two of them receive. Why did she marry this man? Why is he hurting us? Is it something that she did? However, in this case, his mother is the only shield that he has from abuse, so he clings to her.

What is the affect of Michael's father on Michael?

Since Michael's father is abusive, and Michael has to grow up around him, he is basically scarred for life. This abuse is all that he has ever known; therefore, it seems sort of normal to him. He knows this behavior is wrong, but is often unable to help someone who grew up in this situation to turning into an abusive person themselves when they grow up. Because of his father, Michael is never able to observe traits like compassion and companionship in his own family, and this makes a child suffer more than an adult that has never gone through such might think.

What is the role of Michael's mother in the story?

Michael's mother is basically the shield of the story. Protecting Michael from most instances of serious harm, she stands up to her husband, even though she is unable to get away from him. Michael, therefore, loves her much more than his father, but still wonders why bad things are always happening, and if it is her fault. If represented as a symbol in the story, Michael's mother would most definitely be some sort of shield that allows Michael to continue on to adulthood without as much serious harm as he would have had without her.