Although she had attended Al-Anon meetings to help her deal with the situation, it was not until a short, but deep friendship developed with Harry Bender that she understood her responsibility for her father. Until Jenna meets Harry Bender, a recovered alcoholic, she feels unreasonable responsibility for her father's safety and well being. Jenna wishes desperately that her father could beat the Alcoholism. Bauer develops the theme thoroughly as the reader listens in on the unspoken commentary running in Jenna's mind all through the story. Other memories are broken promises, embarrassing situations, missed celebrations for birthdays, holidays, school functions, and a general lack of concern for her, her sister, and her mother. The complexities of their relationship include memories of being forced to lie for him on the telephone, which has developed in her an aversion to using the telephone. Her life has been influenced and colored by her experiences with an alcoholic father. Because of her sense of loyalty and responsibility, she takes on burdens that a teen should not have to shoulder. The overriding theme is Jenna's growing realization about herself and who she is. Bauer addresses several themes in Rules of the Road: complex parent-child relationships, adversity, self-esteem, loyalty, responsibility, and growing up.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |