What are the common themes in British dysfunctional family novels?
A prevalent theme is the struggle for identity within the family. Family members may feel trapped by the family's expectations and reputation, and they try to break free to find their true selves. In 'Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit', the protagonist has to fight against her family's narrow - minded religious views to discover her own identity. Another theme is the cycle of family dysfunction. It seems that in many of these novels, the problems in one generation are passed down to the next. For instance, in 'The Secret Scripture', the family secrets and traumas are carried through generations, creating a continuous cycle of a dysfunctional family dynamic.
One common theme is family secrets. In many British dysfunctional family novels, there are things that family members keep hidden from one another, which often lead to misunderstandings and conflicts. Another theme is the breakdown of traditional family values. As society changes, the old - fashioned ideas of family unity and support start to crumble. For example, in 'Brideshead Revisited', the family's Catholic values are both a binding force and a source of division. Also, power struggles within the family are common. Family members may fight for control, inheritance, or simply for their own way of life, like in 'Howards End' where different family members have different ideas about how to live and what is important.
