In the short story, "Granite Point" by W.D. Valgaardson, Ellen examined her relationship with Mathew through flashbacks into the time when they just got married and moved to Canada. Her tall and angularly handsome, yet abusive and controlling husband was manipulated by his nature of jealousy. As Mathew took over an important and influential position in the small town, Mathew had become more and more arrogant. The story related events leading to Ellen realizing the truth of Kloski's death – Kloski did not die from an accident; instead, Ellen's own husband killed Ellen's only friend in Granite Point. There were rumours about Kloski going around to people's house for hours doing nothing in particular. Mathew felt so unsecured about his relationship with Ellen that he warned Ellen and Kloski not to be with each other alone. Since Mathew did not trust his own wife, he became increasingly controlling and dominant: "Because it doesn't look right. There's talk all over the village about how he stops to visit with the women for hours on end. That may not matter to the other but I won't have that kind of talk about my wife. We have our positions to uphold... It's my house and he won't come unless I ask him... He hit her." (p.47) In addition, letters from Ellen's parents and letters that Ellen sent out always passed through Mathew's hands, leaving Ellen with no privacy at all. At the end, Ellen had to make a life changing decision that would affect the rest of her destiny – either to leave Mathew dying and be able to live her own life, but have to deal with the guilt of letting her husband die; or saving Mathew and continue to let him control her life. Ellen picked the first choice. She ran away from her husband and let him get eaten by the dogs.
             The isolation of Granite Point reflects the loneliness and helplessness that Ellen felt. Just like how Granite ...