The Memory Keeper's Daughter Character Analysis

The Memory Keeper’s Daughter The environment in which someone grows has the power to shape and influence individuals into the people they become and the actions they take. This phenomenon is especially apparent when considering how young children are impacted by their home life, relationships among and with parents, and the parent’s actions. Corresponding with the scientific concept of nature vs. nurture, literature has often used the hardships someone faces at home or in their environment, or the warmth and love from their environment, to justify character’s actions and show how that can change people. In Kim Edwards’ novel, The Memory Keeper’s Daughter, Edwards tells the story of two twins separated at birth, Paul who is perfect in every

David was an up and coming doctor with a promising career and potential in photography as well, Norah was an excellent travel agent making a name for herself, and Paul was a perfect, handsome, strong, healthy, and talented child. From the outside looking in the Henry’s have is all, however there was a darkness full of secrets and lies which threatened to shatter their family. David’s secret, that Phoebe was alive and living with Caroline, drove him to detach from the family and wallow in his guilt. David’s detachment lead to strained and severed relationships, potentially leading to Norah’s affairs and reliance on alcohol and Paul’s sadness and belief that his father does not love him. The Henry household began to be a place controlled by anger and sadness. Stain on relationships, causes people to pull apart at times when coming together is the answer, creating a dark and struggling environment. The darkness of this environment caused Paul to grow unhappy with his life and resent his parents and the secrecy within their home. The environment impacted him to lose hope and ambition at times and to lose himself in his music. One of the major themes within The Memory Keeper’s Daughter was how secrets can shatter relationships with those you are close with. The Henry’s were an example in the novel of how that can happen through detaching and creating a negative environment for them to love and trust