Average Waves In Unprotected Waters Analysis

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Anne Tyler’s “Average Waves in Unprotected Waters” has subtle but important meanings hidden in the setting. Bet makes the decision to give up her nine year old son, Arnold. Arnold is a mentally disabled child and has very wide mood swings and tantrums. Bet is a single mother, her husband left her, and has to raise and provide for her child. Bet is struggling now that he is growing up and makes the decision to give him to an institution. Bet is living in a rented room in an “ancient, crumbling” house. She works at Kresge, which is a small ‘mom and pop’ store. The text mentioned Arnold’s brown corduroy jacket which had “set her back half a week’s salary.” This small phrase shows that Bet doesn’t make much money and is barely able to support

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