Within Arm's Reach

“No one in my mother’s family ever talks about anything that can be categorized as unpleasant or having to do with emotions, and as a result, they no longer have anything to say.”

Gracie establishes the McLaughlins as a secretive family that has difficulty addressing emotions, especially negative emotions. This has led them to lack communicative skills around each other. Gracie sees this trait within herself and knows that her pregnancy will be one secret that will not be possible to keep. As a result, the quote supports Emotional Expression and Communication Within Families.

“When Lila becomes angry, all logic, rationality, kindness, and volume control are lost.”

This quote shows Lila’s horrible temper and difficulty with patience. Gracie’s description of Lila’s anger foreshadows the reveal that she does not have the passion for medicine, not having the temperament and hospitality necessary to be a good doctor or nurse. She also establishes the contrast between the more aggressive Kelly and Lila and the easier-going Gracie and Louis.

“I’m not sure any child really wants to know their parent, or vice versa. Maybe that knowledge and that truth are too much.”

Catharine realizes that if she wants to bring her family together, she needs an event where she can talk to them as a collective. She wonders if the reason Kelly is not receptive to her subtle attempts to imply the family needs to be closer is because parents and children are comfortable knowing each other too much. However, she still wants to try to bring her family together, even the strategies she uses are not ones she is not used to, supporting