Dorothy’s Miscarriage

Throughout the book, Dorothy's lingering miscarriage represents her multi-faceted sense of failure. Her inability to complete her pregnancy represents her inability to realize her potential as an academic, as well as her failure to have a good relationship with her mother. Her long-term loss of blood represents the long-term loss of faith, and hope for the future.

The Medication

Throughout the book, the medication that both Dorothy and Gaby take is a potent representation of the book's thematic interest in endings. That medication, Cytotec, is used by both characters as part of the ending of their pregnancies. In Dorothy's case, it completes the process begun by the fact that the embryo / fetus was not developing properly. In Gaby's case, it initiates the process of abortion, which Gaby chooses because her pregnancy is accidental and unwanted.

Literature

Throughout the book, Dorothy's engagement with several forms...