Grief and Loss

Throughout Family Meal, Washington’s depictions of grief help to portray loss as an inherently disorienting experience, one that frequently results in confusion, alienation, and isolation. One of the primary narrative incidents in the novel is the death of TJ’s father, Jin. His death leads to a splintering between Cam and TJ’s family. Following Jin’s death, Cam cuts off all communication with TJ and Mae; he appears utterly unable to respond to the loss in a healthy or empathetic manner. Early in the novel, he apologizes to Mae, stating, “I’m sorry I never visited after Jin died. That was wrong” (56). In Family Meal, Washington focuses on grief as a deeply confounding and isolating emotion. Jin’s death does not provoke an increased closeness between Cam and TJ; instead, their relationship stagnates and collapses, as Cam cannot communicate his sadness or...