“Shattered Pieces”
There is no question that there is pain and intense suffering in this world. Some of it is explained by selfish, hateful actions on the part of others while other people are left to suffer whether it is physical, mental, or emotional pains. It is something that we do not deserve. The meaning to suffer is a sign of consequences but also can serve as a beneficial sign as in strengthen our inner faith and a reminder of our wrongdoings. One of these cases comes from the novel, Rush Home Road, by Lori Lansens where the main character, Addy Shadd faces some of these requirements and learns to overcome them the hard way. Throughout her past, Addy’s three stages of struggle gradually worsen as the novel progresses.
One of the struggles that cause a permanent mark in Addy’s life was her difficult, unbalanced relationship with her mother. At the age of fifteen, she learns to be independent and enjoys showing off her physical appearance which her mother did not approve of. Her mother, Laisa, was concerned about her daughter becoming a grown woman and was fully aware of glances coming from older men. She quoted, “you ain’t no beauty, Adelaide Shadd, and it’s just as well to know that now. You got stick-out ears and hood eyes, and a long face like your Daddy,” (Lansens 34). Laisa comments on this to prevent Addy from thinking thoughts of using her body as a centre of attention for men, especially Chester Monk, the love of her life. Addy hated receiving insults and negative feedback from her mother and felt like a useless person carrying them around. Laisa expresses no signs of affection or support that every daughter needs from their mother. Without love and care from her mother, Addy has a hard time balancing her difficult, misunderstanding relationship with her mother and loses the part of who she truly is. Therefore, she struggles in this way and depends on herself without the care from her mother.
