Comparing Don And Myrtle's Hidden Truth In Family Linen
Family Linen exhibits multiple sensitive themes such as death, love, loneliness, and mystery. Still, honesty and the act of knowing stands out since the introductory chapter of novel and progresses as other characters are introduced. We first get to know Sybill, a woman who seeks the veracity behind her mother’s crime as a way to find peace in herself and get rid of her pain. However, what she perceives as truth may be a product of an implausible traumatic experience. Conversely, Don and Myrtle relationship is threatened by the hidden reality in which both are sexually unfaithful to each other. In both cases revealing or knowing the truth would cause turmoil and pain, but at the same time keeping secrets or remaining ignorant could lead to
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Unlike sybill’s case, Don and Myrtle’s hidden truth of their respective affairs is not a product of their perception, but it is an actual reality that is explicitly portrayed. They not only cheat on each other but they also fake their relationship and make it look like a perfect one. By doing this, Don and Myrtle dull the pain of a sad truth, a truth that could bring misery and disdain to each other and their beloved relatives, who are already surrounded by an atmosphere of false happiness. Conversely, as a positive outcome, lying can avoid what they would consider an unnecessary conflict, thinking that keeping the way things are is not going to impact their relationship as long as it remains secret. Nevertheless, they do not realize that by lying and covering up the truth in order to feel better with themselves does not change what is truly happening and the reality of their simulated relationship. Furthermore, Don and Myrtle also do not consider the risk of making their reality even worse, and breaking up the trust of their family if the truth ever comes out. Not to mention, both have been involved in their affairs for a long period of time, “Myrtle has been with Gary Vance too many times to count, over too many months (132),” pumping a giant bubble over time that could collapse at any
Unlike sybill’s case, Don and Myrtle’s hidden truth of their respective affairs is not a product of their perception, but it is an actual reality that is explicitly portrayed. They not only cheat on each other but they also fake their relationship and make it look like a perfect one. By doing this, Don and Myrtle dull the pain of a sad truth, a truth that could bring misery and disdain to each other and their beloved relatives, who are already surrounded by an atmosphere of false happiness. Conversely, as a positive outcome, lying can avoid what they would consider an unnecessary conflict, thinking that keeping the way things are is not going to impact their relationship as long as it remains secret. Nevertheless, they do not realize that by lying and covering up the truth in order to feel better with themselves does not change what is truly happening and the reality of their simulated relationship. Furthermore, Don and Myrtle also do not consider the risk of making their reality even worse, and breaking up the trust of their family if the truth ever comes out. Not to mention, both have been involved in their affairs for a long period of time, “Myrtle has been with Gary Vance too many times to count, over too many months (132),” pumping a giant bubble over time that could collapse at any