Literary Analysis: Dysfunctional Families in Fiction

Questions and Answers

What is the name of the novel being discussed?

A Flawed Family

Her Mother's Daughter (correct)

The Troubled Family

Secrets and Lies

How many points of view are used to tell the story in Her Mother's Daughter?

Two (correct)

Three

Four

One

Why did Helen Slade find the novel hard to put down?

Because it was very well written

Because it was about her own family

Because she was immersed in the flawed family's story (correct)

Because it was about a happy family

What is a characteristic of Helen Slade's books?

They always have a happy ending Signup and view all the answers

What is a secret that the mother in the novel has kept from her family?

Her troubled childhood Signup and view all the answers

Why is the mother's behavior towards her children particularly shocking?

Because mothers are supposed to be sacred and pure Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of reading the sections of the novel told in the child's voice?

It makes the reader see the mother's flaws Signup and view all the answers

What is a benefit of reading, according to Helen Slade?

It lets us wear someone else's shoes for a while without living their reality Signup and view all the answers

Why does the reader feel more shocked by the way the mother treats her child in Her Mother's Daughter?

Because the child is telling the story Signup and view all the answers

What does the author of Her Mother's Daughter use to play on the reader's natural instincts?

The child's narration Signup and view all the answers

Why do miserable books like Her Mother's Daughter sell well?

Because they are relatable to our own family lives Signup and view all the answers

What is the narrative style of We Need to Talk About Kevin?

Letters from the mother to her husband Signup and view all the answers

Why is Kevin's sister considered a victim in We Need to Talk About Kevin?

Because she is a victim of her brother's evil Signup and view all the answers

What theme is explored in both Her Mother's Daughter and We Need to Talk About Kevin?

The impact of parenting on children Signup and view all the answers

Why do parents relate to books like Her Mother's Daughter and We Need to Talk About Kevin?

Because parents worry if they are doing a good job Signup and view all the answers

What is the common denominator in the characters of the mother in Her Mother's Daughter and Kevin's mother in We Need to Talk About Kevin?

They both found motherhood hard Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Her Mother's Daughter by Alice Fitzgerald

The novel is written from two points of view: a child and her troubled mother.
The story revolves around a family with secrets, where the mother has hidden her troubled childhood from her husband and children.
The mother's past has shaped her entire personality and behavior as a mother and wife.
The child's voice in the novel reveals the mother's behavior, which is shocking to readers.

Reaction to Her Mother's Daughter

The book is well-written, but its dark content can be hard to read.
The author's use of the child's voice makes the reader sympathize with the child and feel shocked by the mother's behavior.
The novel explores the theme of how parents' mistakes affect their children.

We Need to Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver

The novel is written from the point of view of the mother in letters to her husband.
The story revolves around a family dealing with a troubled teenager who becomes a killer.
The novel explores the challenges of raising teenagers and the theme of where "evil" or lack of empathy comes from.
The mother's voice in the novel raises questions about her role in shaping her son's behavior.

Comparison of the Two Books

Both novels deal with dark and complex family relationships.
They both explore the theme of how parents' mistakes affect their children.
The use of the child's voice in Her Mother's Daughter and the mother's voice in We Need to Talk About Kevin creates a sense of empathy and shock in the reader.

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Description

Discuss the portrayal of troubled families in literature, focusing on 'Her Mother's Daughter' by Alice Fitzgerald. Explore the challenges of reading such works and the authors' writing techniques.