Acceptance Of Family In Richard Russo's That Old Cape Magic

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Richard Russo’s novel, That Old Cape Magic, illustrates a recurring theme of acceptance of family, despite their iniquities. Jack Griffin, currently in the throes of a mid-life crisis, reflects on his parents’ acrimonious discontent in all facets of their lives. Griffin, with stark introspect, realizes that he has inherited his parents’ pretentious attitudes. Vacationing one month in Cape Cod is the only respite Griffin’s parents get from their miserable lives back in Indiana. Griffin’s quest for happiness begins when he acknowledges why he is who is, allows himself to let go of his childhood pain, and feel grateful for all the good things in his life. Griffin’s parents believed they were destined to teach at Ivy League schools, buy a house