Control is Strength, without it there is Weakness In life, a lack of control can lead to traumatizing and fearful events. White Oleander shows how Astrid, a young woman, faces many challenges connected to control. Janet Fitch’s story demonstrates how a lack of control leads to destruction. When control is not exercised, family relationships, friendships, and romantic relationships struggle.
A lack of self-control can result in poor family relationships. Ingrid decides to leave Astrid with a babysitter for six months: “I dropped you at her house just for the afternoon, to go to the beach with some friends, and one thing lead to another, it feels wonderful, Astrid. To be free!” (427). Ingrid leaving her baby at the babysitters shows she has
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Ingrid kills her partner because she feels he is rejecting her. She does not think about the consequences or Astrid. “She crosse[s] the room faster than I could [believe] possible, lift[s] her arm and stab[s] him in the hand” (35). Ingrid killing her partner displays her strange passion and lack of self-respect, causing her relationship to fail. Furthermore, Astrid is involved with Ray, but at the same time, Ray is with Astrid’s foster mom, Starr. Starr asks Astrid if she is involved with Ray and she lies to Starr. Astrid then gets shot for being dishonest, “I [stagger] for the dresser, to climb up and out the window, but fires again, and my hip [explodes]. [I’ve] [fallen] [on] the floor”(111). Astrid lying to Starr about her relationship with Ray is where the damage of their relationship happens. Her inappropriate relationship with Ray displays her bad judgment. Finally, Astrid wakes to see Claire’s not breathing. The only reason Astrid was living with Claire was because of her doubtful life. Claire’s husband, Ron has left her and this triggers her suicide, “‘Claire, wake up.’ I yelled at her, hoping she would open her eyes”(289). Ron leaving Claire leads to her committing suicide, all because of her unstable life. Along with the destruction of their marriage. All in all, the characters actions cause their relationships to