After years of abuse, both physically and emotionally, Celie discovers herself searching for some self-respect. Fonso, Celie's abusive father, forces her to marry Albert, also abusive by nature. Celie finds a degree of hope through Albert's mistress, Shug. Shug serves as a tremendous force...

In the short story "The Enduring Chill" by Flannery O'Connor there is a very strong relationship between mother and son. Asbury, the son, is a college student who constantly comes home to see his mother because he is not feeling well. The protagonist, Asbury Fox, is obviously at ...

Thomas Gradgrind`s family is ruled by fact, and the school is in Coketown, a northern industrial town over which he presides is also dominated by it. He is displeased by Sissy Jupe, a circus clown`s daughter, because of her unrealistic upbringing: and appalled when he finds his own children, Louis...