Dysfunctional Families

In MacDonaldÆs much more epic and sweeping tale of the Piper family, we are treated to the story of James Pipe, a Scots-English piano tuner and his child Lebanese bride, Materia Mahmoud. The story encompasses the trials and tribulations of the PiperÆs and their four daughters, Kathleen, Frances, Mercedes, and Lily. Set mainly in Cape Breton against the backdrop of World War I, the Depression, the Harlem jazz scene and the aftermath of World War II, the story depicts race relations, ethnic traditions, and regional culture.

This analysis will discuss the characters and family relations of Nights Below Station Street and Fall On Your Knees in order to demonstrate the significant levels of dysfunc

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taÆs behavior that enables JoeÆs behavior to continue. Despite JoeÆs struggles with alcoholism and his isolation, he is strong and tries to wrestle his demons while dealing with his dysfunctional interactions with his family. Many might view such characters from a judgmental stance, figuring JoeÆs weakness with alcohol make him ignoble. However, JoeÆs trials and tribulations are something he tries to meet with isolated strength. A common working-class individual, Joe does the best he can to maintain his family, all the while suffering with his battle of alcoholism. He possesses a degree of fortitude and a kind of rough wisdom that helps him preserve some measure of humanity, despite drunken acts like being violent with his children or passing out in a drunken stupor and nearly burning down the house. In an interview with David Adams Richards, Richards maintains that the Joe WalshÆs of the world are often critically judged but remain unsung heroes of a particular brand among those familiar with the struggles of the working class. In the interview Richards describes his feelings about characters like Joe, who despite their dysfunction have qualities that are admirable, ôWhen I write about Joe Walsh in Nights Below Station Stre
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Some common words found in the essay are:
Midnight Mass, James Materia, Fall Knees, Cape Breton, Station Street, Despite JoeÆs, Ironically Kathleen, Joe WalshÆs, James MateriaÆs, Joe Walsh, station street, below station street, nights below station, richards 1997, nights below, below station, fall knees, macdonald 2002, james materia, family dysfunction, piper family, dysfunctional behaviors, physical verbal abuse, joe walshÆs world, richards 1997 7,
Approximate Word count = 2822
Approximate Pages = 11 (250 words per page)