The Wayne Public Library of Wayne, NJ is the owner of the Wayne Discussion Blog. The purpose of this blog is to facilitate discussion of selected book titles and other library materials, for entertainment, enlightenment and educational purposes.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Family Tree by Barbara Delinsky
In the novels initial chapters why does Hugh react the way he does? Is he a racist? Is he torn between his wife and his family? Does he believe and/or trust his wife?
4 comments:
Anonymous
said...
Faced with the realization that his child is of African American descent Hugh’s initial reactions are heavily influenced by the people around him. He’s a new father who loves his wife but is confused about the baby’s coloring. His parents, brother and uncle immediately point their finger at his wife, Dana, because she never knew her father. Although he may not (deep down inside) believe Dana had an affair, as a lawyer he’s compelled to look at the issue logically and orders the paternity test. It’s the easiest way in his mind that he can quiet those around him. That it was insulting to his wife never entered his mind. In the first few chapters Hugh selfishly chooses his family and friends over his wife. I don’t think Hugh is a racist. I think he caved to outside pressures in a desperate attempt to prove to himself and the world that the baby was his.
I think it was natural for Hugh to react the way he did in the intial chapters. I think any couple who's new born child turned out to be a slightly different skin color from their own, would be shocked and concerned. I do not believe he is a racist, I do think he was feeling the pressure of his family and friends and wanted to find some way to prove to them that baby Lizzie was also his. He wants to believe his wife, but the story makes you wonder if he truly believes and trusts her. It is only after Hugh and Dana have their blood tested while taking Lizzie for her check up at the doctor, with the end result showing that Hugh has African Amerian Roots, does Hugh truly believe that Lizzie is his daughter.
Hugh not trusting his wife is also a product of the shock that he suffered. The birth of a first child is a momentous occassion. To have to contend with issues of race, infidelity and outward hostility from friends and family is so far beyond that which any new parent should have to deal with mere hours after the birth. Those issues alone would have driven the novel, but to add to this the grandmother's health crisis, her family secret and running the store. How much more could the new mother take?
I like the book. I thought it tackled a tough issue in a very interesting and positive light. I wondered how the same story would have played had it been set in another region of the country. The south? Mid-west? West Coast? Do you think that the setting is crucial to the story? Are New Englanders different from other folks in other regions?
I think no matter where the setting was, the reactions by the friends and family of Hugh and Dana would have been the same. If this were a real life situation, I think it would be a lot harder down South and in the Midwest. As it is the people of these regions have little tolerance for Notherners and that does not include race. It may not be said out loud, but the feelings are there.
4 comments:
Faced with the realization that his child is of African American descent Hugh’s initial reactions are heavily influenced by the people around him. He’s a new father who loves his wife but is confused about the baby’s coloring. His parents, brother and uncle immediately point their finger at his wife, Dana, because she never knew her father. Although he may not (deep down inside) believe Dana had an affair, as a lawyer he’s compelled to look at the issue logically and orders the paternity test. It’s the easiest way in his mind that he can quiet those around him. That it was insulting to his wife never entered his mind. In the first few chapters Hugh selfishly chooses his family and friends over his wife. I don’t think Hugh is a racist. I think he caved to outside pressures in a desperate attempt to prove to himself and the world that the baby was his.
I think it was natural for Hugh to react the way he did in the intial chapters. I think any couple who's new born child turned out to be a slightly different skin color from their own, would be shocked and concerned. I do not believe he is a racist, I do think he was feeling the pressure of his family and friends and wanted to find some way to prove to them that baby Lizzie was also his. He wants to believe his wife, but the story makes you wonder if he truly believes and trusts her. It is only after Hugh and Dana have their blood tested while taking Lizzie for her check up at the doctor, with the end result showing that Hugh has African Amerian Roots, does Hugh truly believe that Lizzie is his daughter.
Hugh not trusting his wife is also a product of the shock that he suffered. The birth of a first child is a momentous occassion. To have to contend with issues of race, infidelity and outward hostility from friends and family is so far beyond that which any new parent should have to deal with mere hours after the birth. Those issues alone would have driven the novel, but to add to this the grandmother's health crisis, her family secret and running the store. How much more could the new mother take?
I like the book. I thought it tackled a tough issue in a very interesting and positive light. I wondered how the same story would have played had it been set in another region of the country. The south? Mid-west? West Coast? Do you think that the setting is crucial to the story? Are New Englanders different from other folks in other regions?
I think no matter where the setting was, the reactions by the friends and family of Hugh and Dana
would have been the same. If this were a real life situation, I think it would be a lot harder down South and in the Midwest. As it is the people of these regions have little tolerance for Notherners and that does not include race. It may not be said out loud, but the feelings are there.
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