What are the motifs in We Were the Mulvaneys by Joyce Carol Oates?

A recurring idea is betrayal. Michael Mulvaney feels betrayed throughout the novel, by not only the people in the little town where his family lived, but by his own family, especially his daughter. The people in town who Michael believed were his friends are the first to betray him at the time of his daughter's attack. The father of the boy who attacked his daughter is a good friend. Then, there are the city council members who are responsible for choosing who will receive the roofing job on several large city projects. Although Michael was positive that he would receive the jobs before his daughter's ordeal, soon after, he is quickly turned down. The DA will not press charges against his daughter's rapist, but is ready to press charges against Michael for attacking the boy. Michael feels betrayed by each and every one of these people.