Family Dynamics
He is the person who feels invisible compared to Lydia.
Nath
Lydia’s best subject in school, according to her parents.
Science
Marilyn wants Lydia to follow this specific career path.
Doctor
This body of water is central to the story’s mystery and becomes symbolic.
The lake
This year is when Marilyn left her family to go back to school.
1972
Marilyn reacts this way when she returns home after leaving for months.
Keeps trying to mold her into her image
Lydia tells her parents this about her social life, even though it’s not true.
She has a lot of friends
James encourages Lydia to do this in order to be “normal.”
Make friends
Silence in the Lee household often symbolizes this.
emotional repression or miscommunication
Lydia reacts to her mother’s return by doing this.
Clinging to her mother
This family member most consistently notices Lydia’s silence and discomfort.
Hannah
Lydia hides her struggles because of this main reason.
She doesn't want to disappoint her parents.
Marilyn’s ambitions for Lydia are largely based on her own...
The academic pressure placed on Lydia represents this broader theme.
Parental expectations
Marilyn’s mother, Doris, emphasized this role for women.
Being a good house wife
James feels like an outsider in both society and his own family. This is one way that affects Lydia.
Pushes her to fit in.
She is the one Lydia tells secrets to the least.
Marilyn
James’s background as a Chinese-American influences how he views Lydia’s...
assimilation and acceptance
The contrast between Nath and Lydia reveals this about family roles.
Favoritism
Lydia’s personality starts to shift after this event.
Marilyn’s return and renewed focus on Lydia's future
The Lees often avoid direct conversations. This impacts the family by causing...
Misunderstanding.
Lydia's "compliance" is often mistaken for this.
Happiness or agreement.
This silent burden is placed on Lydia by both parents.
fulfilling both their dreams and fixing their regrets
Marilyn’s sudden departure in the past acts as a metaphor for this.
erasure of self and identity crisis
This memory from Marilyn’s past influences her parenting style.
discouraged from pursuing a science career