Generational Conflict
The generational conflict embodied in the novel is the result of a father’s desertion and a mother’s abuse. One aspect of the generational conflict is the conflict between Cody and his younger brother Ezra. Cody is jealous of Ezra because Ezra is like by everyone and has their mother’s affection. Cody began a sibling rivalry with Ezra early on in their lives and made it is goal in life to take what he could from Ezra. Ezra, however, did not have any ill feelings towards Cody. Cody would always try and frame Ezra with mischievous acts that he truly committed, but it did not satisfy Cody enough. When Ezra met a woman he decided he was going to marry, Cody thought it was the best time to get his ultimate revenge. Cody stole Ezra’s fiancée away from him out of spite, but then he fell in love with her and the two were married. Another aspect of the generational conflict in the novel is between Pearl Tull, the mother, and he children. Pearl experiences some heavy set back in her life, which causes her to become somewhat mentally imbalanced. She is unhappy with how her life turns out and takes her anger and frustration out on her children. Pearl would belittle her children and even beat them when she felt they were mistreating her. Pearl always feels her children do not appreciate how hard she works to provide for them. Cody and Jenny feel immense resentment towards their mother for how she would treat them. Ezra was abused by Pearl too, but not as much as his brother and sister. Jenny experiences sever emotional trauma because she is never able to satisfy her mother. When Pearl would get angry at Jenny, she would slam her against walls and tell her she was worthless and pathetic. It is noticeable in the novel that Pearl never really liked Cody because he was a difficult child. From the moment he was born, Pearl mentions that he would never be enough to make her happy. Cody becomes aware of his mother’s lack of love for him early on. Cody grows up believing that he was never truly wanted and does his best to get as far away as he can from his family and life in Baltimore.