Coercion and Abuse

The novel repeatedly explores destructive relationships through the lenses of coercion and abuse, specifically demonstrating how imbalances of control and autonomy can be corrosive in any type of interpersonal relationship. The narrative establishes these ideas early in the novel. For example, in Chapter 1, Annie is unfairly pressured by a director and by various other coworkers to perform nudity in a scene in the movie. No one forewarned Annie about this nudity, and she does not feel comfortable with the idea. However, the pressure from other people is so strong and immediate that she eventually gives in. She tries to convince herself that she is choosing of her own volition to do the nude scene. However, she is clearly not in control of the situation, as she has been heavily coerced. The narration states, with a heavy sense of irony, “She was controlling the situation...