Discuss Mr. and Mrs. Lambert's response to Mr. Garcia. Was it true protection of Willa?
Willa Lambert, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lambert, has already faced a great deal of physical, psychological, and social suffering as a result of being a victim of a rape that had taken place at a high school party. However, while her parents have attempted to "protect" her throughout the rest of this experience, it seems as though they are preoccupied with protecting their familial reputation and privacy rather than their daughter, Willa.
When approached by the police officer, Mr. Garcia, at their home regarding the status of Willa's rape (whether or not they will report anything or press charges), Mr. and Mrs. Lambert refuse to cooperate claiming that they "do not want this (the rape) to get out, it's not fair to her and it's not fair to us" (p. 334) and that Willa has suffered enough. However, while they most likely believe that their actions are protecting and helping Willa, they are in fact worried about protecting themselves instead. By forbidding Willa to tell the authorities, or anyone at all, about the rape and forcing her to uncomfortably go to church and pray for herself, they are not allowing Willa to do what SHE needs to do in order to obtain closure from this horrible situation. That being said, the Lamberts are not purposely trying to hurt Willa, however their actions are focused on the good of the family rather than the good of their daughter, therefore it cannot be said that they are doing everything that they can to protect her.
Vienna--
ReplyDeleteThank you for getting your ideas down about this issue of protection. Your writing shows that you believe the Lambert's were more concerned about protecting their reputation, i.e, image instead of their daughter's.
There is a section though that needs additional clarity: "...and forcing her to uncomfortably go to church and pray for herself...." What do you mean by that? What textual support do you have to support your observation?
--Prof. Young
You answered the question very well and used textual evidence to support your claim about the intentions of Willa's father. Good job.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Prof. Young regarding her point about clarity. What did you mean when you were talking about Willa's parents forcing her to go to church and pray? What relevance does this have to their protection of her?
You answered the question very well and used textual evidence to support your claim about the intentions of Willa's father. Good job.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Prof. Young regarding her point about clarity. What did you mean when you were talking about Willa's parents forcing her to go to church and pray? What relevance does this have to their protection of her?
You did a good job answering the question and using textual support in your blog. But to build on your answer do you feel that if Willa had only talked to the officers by herself if she would've been willing to make a statement?
ReplyDelete