Journal #4

      Macdonald establishes another vital element that is present throughout the novel. Isolation is another important variable that sets a second major theme. The reader gets the first glimpse of this through the eyes of Materia. Materia seducing James resulted in separation from her family. “She was dead to them all from that day forth” (18). She was disowned and rejected by her family due to her betrayal. This separation is further revealed by Mrs. Mahmoud when she, “…watched her husband eat and thought of her lost daughter,” (51). Although Mrs. Mahmoud knew her daughter was gone forever, she missed her. Additionally, not only was Materia isolated from her family, but also she was isolated towards her first daughter. Materia questions, “How could it be that she loved other women’s children and not her own?” (55) She made many attempts to love her child but she was unsuccessful. For instance, she prayed earnestly and begged to love her child. “Please dear Mary, Mother of God, make me love my baby” (34). Moreover, James starts questioning his relationship with Materia. He states, “…the staring zombie he married. Why had he married her?” (34) James’ questions further develop a barrier between them. Another incident, which provokes this division between them, is when he stops sleeping with her and thus spends less time with her. “He began sleeping on a cot by the kitchen stove…” (24). Moreover he was reluctant when Materia came near him. This is proven when, “…her husband wouldn’t come near her. Got angry if she touched him” (34). James was very angry with Frances as well. Hence, this affected their father daughter relationship. We know this through Mercedes perception when she ponders “Daddy’s love for Lily and his anger at Frances” (189).  As a result, Frances’ behaviour leads to mischievousness and acting out to disguise her love and fear that she will not be loved by her family. “What kind of man disowns his daughter? Frances is a diamond passed from filthy paw to paw but never diminished” (335). Frances’ bad behaviour generates isolation from her family and especially from her father. Lastly, Macdonald also illustrates isolation with other minor characters in the novel. For instance, Teresa, Mr. Mahmouds housekeeper, was secluded from the world partially because of her attachment with Mahmoud. She realizes the situation when Mahmoud accused of her stealing. Teresa says, “ She had forgotten the sweet joys of society…” (349). Therefore, Anne Marie MacDonald introduces many situations where various characters are isolated from one another. These revelations point out many secrets that lie among them.