Reaction to Chapter 2【Mia】

 In Chapter 2, the differences between the relationship between Jeannette and her mother, and between Jeannette and her father, are evident. When the fire broke out, the mother was absorbed in painting and not looking after Jeannette. If her job is painting, it is inevitable that she cannot look after her children while at work. I do not know the truth as far as I am reading chapter 2, but it is clear from the mother's behavior and Jeannette's reaction to it that their relationship appears to be a cold one.

In contrast, the relationship between Jeannette and her father is warm and like a “normal” family, although their behavior at the hospital is unusual. And an analysis of the description of the conversation between Jeannette and her father reminds the reader of innocent and happy memories of childhood. The father nicknames Jeannette “honey bunch” and tells her that he missed her a lot while she was away. In the contrast, when Jeannette’s brother Brian hits his head on the floor, the mother makes a hasty, airheaded remark: “There was blood everywhere”. The way she explains the terrible situation in a matter-of-fact way, without any concern for himself, shows that the mother’s indifference towards her children was not only directed at Jeannette but also at Brian. The fact that the father later jokes about these words suggests that he is aware of the problem with the mother’s callous behavior towards her children and that he himself tries to have a good relationship with them. Throughout the story, the innocent portrayal of children is contrasted with the cold behavior of adults, which makes it uncomfortable but interesting to read.