Everything I Never Told You - Chapter 5&6

Book Title: Everything I Never Told You

Author: Celeste NG

Chapter 5&6

Words

kowtow - v. (to sb/sth) to show sb in authority too much respect and be too willing to obey them

Sentence: I will never kowtow to them like that!

hurl - v. to throw sth/sb violently in a particular direction

Sentence: In the blur of her fury, she hurled the rign to the ground.

coax - v. to persuade sb to do sth by talking to them in a kind and gentle way

Sentence: He was coaxed out of retirement to help the failing company.

offhand - adj. not showing much interest in sb/sth

Sentence: He was very offhand with me.

putter (potter) around - to do things or move without hurrying, especially when you are doing sth that you enjoy and that is not important

Sentence: I spent the day puttering around the house.

Reading Response

*Hannah doesn't say a word. These are the new rules, which no one has outlined but which she already knows: Don't take about Lydia. Don't talk about the lake. Don't ask questions.

They assume, wrongly, that this is the way to heal the wounds. Just like the "no looking back" pact that Marilyn and James made when they got married. It seems they used to keep their deep sorrow in their hearts, and assume, wrongly again, that this is the way to let it go. The truth is both their past and Lydia's death "suffused them so deeply it could never wash out."

For Marilyn, I think it is not just losing a daughter, but all her hope. After Marilyn realized it's not possible for her to succeed due to pregnancy, Lydia was the one to achieve her dream to be a doctor . Then, Marilyn put all her attention on Lydia. In Marilyn's mind, Lydia was an excellent daughter and student, that's all! That's why Marilyn was frightened to find cigarette and condom in Lydia's bag.

Her expectation put too much pressure on Lydia, and also leads to the uncheerful life of Nath and Hannah, espeically Hannah, who was neglected by family members. Moreover, Marilyn ran away from home for more than 2 months, which had a great impact on Lydia. She was afraid her monther would leave them again, so always tried to please Marilyn.

*on the very best days - though those were very, very rare - their parents would come, too."

It's important that parents accompany their kids as much as possible. I feel that Marilyn & James don't understand or ever think about what their kids really need. Or they never ruminate what they really need, either.