The novel explores the intricate dysfunctionalities within the Kincaid family, particularly around marriage, betrayal, and parent-child relationships. For Sallie, the result of experiencing a family that relies on secrets and emotional suppression is a deep-seated fear of commitment. This becomes a central conflict for her as she reaches adulthood and begins contemplating her own marriage.

Sallie sees marriage as “nothing but trouble” (279), an outlook influenced by the troubled marriages she has seen throughout her life. The Duke fought constantly with Sallie’s mother, Annie, leaving Sallie with vivid memories of loud conflicts and objects being thrown in anger. The Duke ultimately killed Annie, traumatizing Sallie and leading her to grow up without a mother. The Duke’s succession of wives—and their deaths—ingrains a belief in Sallie that marriage is temporary and ends tragically. Furthermore, the failed marriage between Kat and Seymour, wherein Seymour left Kat after discovering his sexuality, adds to Sallie’s skepticism of marriage as a permanent, loving bond. Finally, her negative perception of marriage is reinforced by Phillip’s abandonment of Mary, who was devoted to her husband and led their temperance campaign. Sallie’s experience with her former fiancé, Rawley, only deepened her disillusionment with marriage and with men’s ability to be faithful.