Control

One of the major themes that emerges in the novel is control. Marin, Sonya, Ranee, and Trisha have lived most of their lives controlled by Brent, forfeiting control over their own lives. Because of this, the main characters all seek to reclaim a sense of control over their situations, in different ways. For instance, Ranee poisons Brent to get him out of their lives; Sonya avoids being vulnerable with anyone so she can control her emotions; and Trisha lies about using birth control so she can maintain control over her body.

Of all the characters, Marin is perhaps most dominated by the need to control her life. Marin believed that becoming accomplished and being "perfect" would be a way to reclaim her father's affections. She also had to learn at a young age that not even her mother would intervene to help her, and that she...