Rude The Impacts of Inharmonious Relationship on Grayer’s Attitudes

home Kraus McLaughlin 182. Mrs. X wants to schedule a family meeting about . . .” I glance over her shoulder at the pasta pusher-“the little one. When could he be here?” “Let’s se. . . I could push a meeting up . . .” Yeah, I can get him back to New York by Wednesday at four. I’ll have him there.” Kraus McLaughlin 182 It is not only very difficult to get the precious time of Mr. X for having a family meeting, but also to get Mr. X’s attention for Grayer when he is at home. Therefore Grayer absolutely lacks of love and care from his own father. On the other side, Mrs. X seldom has a little time to take care her own son and hands over all her responsibilities as a mother to Annie. Automatically it also makes Grayer lack of attention from his mother. We can see the examples from the daily activities of Mrs. X. She is always busy with her own activities, like shopping and going to spa Kraus McLaughlin 139-140. Being a lonely child causes Grayer to be selfish and arbitrary. It can be seen from Grayer’s attitudes when he knows that Caitlin’s position is going to be replaced by Annie as the only Grayer’s nanny. “I told you to get out of here, you bad woman” Grayer hurls his stroller at me, screaming at the top of his lungs. I consider taking a playground poll as to whether I should “get out” and, if I choose not to, does this, in fact, make me a “bad woman?” Caitlin rights the stroller as if his throwing it were part of a fabulous game we’re playing. “Well, looks to me like somebody has a bit of energy and wants me to catch him” She chases him all over the playground, laughing deeply. He slides down the slide and catches him. He hides behind the monkey bars and she catches him. There is a lot of catching overall. I start to chase her as she chases him, but give up when he looks pleadingly into my eyes, moaning “STOaaaooop.” Kraus McLaughlin 37 From the example, we can conclude that Grayer is a selfish child. When the transition time of Caitlin with Annie is going on, Grayer cannot admit it, so he always says that he wants Caitlin, not Annie. It means that he must get whatever he wants. Even though Mrs. X has already decided to replace Caitlin with Annie, Grayer does not want to accept her. He wants Caitlin only as his nanny. It is already his habit that whatever he wants. It must be satisfied by his nanny and parents. If they are not able to make Grayer satisfied, he will get furious. Therefore it is the proof that Grayer is a selfish child and arbitrary boy. The other proof is that Grayer always wants his card pinned to his clothes all the time. Grayer’s card is a card that is written his father’s name, Mr. X. “So, what’s with the card?” “Oh, that grotty old thing.” She swallows. “He carries it everywhere. He’ll be wanting it pinned to his trousers and in his pajamas. It drives the Mrs. X crazy, but he refuses to so much as put on his underpants without it.” She blinks a few times and then turns away. Kraus McLaughlin 36 It also shows that whatever Grayer wants must be satisfied. Otherwise he will get furious. Even his own mother is not able to forbid him not to pin his card in his pajamas. It means that he must get whatever he wants and no body is able to forbid Grayer to do what he wants. So it is also the proof that Grayer is a selfish and arbitrary child.

4.2.3 Rebellious

The third impact of the inharmonious relationship between Mrs. X and Grayer is Grayer’s being rebellious. According to Deutsch 305, mother must educate their children well. She has to make a balance between being mild and restricted to her children. When she forbids too much, the children will be rebellious. In the novel, Grayer becomes rebellius towards his parents, because he gets only little affection and cares from his own parents. However, his parents are still busy with their own bussiness. Annie is the only person who shows that she cares Grayer. Her treatments makes Grayer feel comfortable and accepted. The result is that Annie receives different treatments from Grayer. He considers her to be the only person who loves him. Grayer even tries to be nice to Annie. The example is that Grayer gives a very special gift that is crooked paper heart to Nanny in the Valentine’s Day. “Whatcha got there, buddy?” “It’s a Valentine. I made it. You can hold it.” I look down at the heart, assuming it’s for Mrs. X. “Mrs. Butters spelled for me. I told her what to say and she spelled for me. Read it, Nanny, read it.” I almost can’t speak, “I LOVE YOU NANNY FROM GRAYER ADDISON X.” “Yup. That’s what I said.” Kraus McLaughlin 150 On that moment, Grayer does not give any gift to Mrs. X, but he only says “Happy Valentine’s Day” to her. Even Grayer does not give any gift and he also does not say anything to his own father, Mr. X on this Valentine’s Day. It seems that Grayer loves Nanny much more than he loves his own parents. Therefore it is the proof that Grayer is rebellious towards his own parents. Once Grayer shouts that he needs Annie only when she leaves the X’s family. It happens because Mrs. X fires Annie on the day when the X’s family has vacation on the Nantucket. “Here.” She hands me the check. I turn and walk past her onto the gravel driveway, as Grayer’s increasingly hydterical cries echo out into the darkness. “NAAAANNNNYYYY I NEEEEEED YOOOOUUUUU NOT MY MOTHER” Kraus McLaughlin 297 It shows that Grayer really does not want to be separated with his lovely nanny,