What role does Matt take on in the family after he returns from college?

When Matt comes home from college, he takes the role of father in the absence of their dad. He looks after them and does anything physical that needs doing such as chopping wood. He is someone in whom their mother can confide without feeling like she needs to shelter him from the harsh reality of what is happening. He is also someone in whom Miranda can confide when she does not want to upset or worry her mother. Matt is very thoughtful and generous throughout all this, despite the fact that it must be tough to be the rock on whom everyone else thinks they can lean.