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Steel, 1998:24 It also happens when grace has come out of prison. Louis Marquez, police on duty
were watching her during the trial period. Grace was angry with what was Louis said. What was taught by Sally and Luana while in prison made Grace increasingly
bold and she did not want to be frightened or even suppressed again as she had before.
But the way he said it made something snap deep inside her, and she took a step closer to him, and put her face close to his with a
look of fury. I shot the last man who said that to me, and tried to act on it.
And dont you forget that, Mr. Marquez. Are we clear now? Steel, 1998: 176-177
4.2.3 Dissociation
A lack of feeling, numbness, confusion, and out-of-body experiences may occur during or after abuse to help the victim avoid the pain and fear associated
with abuse. In rare cases, memories of abuse may be repressed, so that the victim does not have any conscious memory of the abuse.
Grace was confused by the circumstances that happened after the rape and shooting that had just occurred. It can
be seen in the following sentence: Grace grew into a pretty girl with a terrible past. Many men were chasing her
but she could not accept their feelings and have a special relationship. Until one day, Grace was treated like a loose woman by the boss where she worked.
It made her sad because it reminded her of her father, who only used her.
At twenty-two, she still felt like a child sometimes, and why did this keep happening to her? Why did men hate her so much that
all they wanted to do was use her? Steel, 1998: 252
Grace had felt like she was dealing with her father when she was talking to Louis Marquez, the police who would be watching her during the probation period
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after getting out of jail. Louis Marquez reminded her of her father and he made her scared to be close with him. This man cause a flashback about the sexual abuse just
because with his power, he forced his will in ordered to be obeyed by Grace. It can be seen in the following sentence:
How nice. I see you got an early start too, she said, looking angry. What did he think he was pulling? It was her father all
over again, and just thinking about that made her tremble. Steel, 1998: 176
4.2.4 Posttraumatic Stress PTSD
Nightmares, hyper-vigilance, flashbacks and other symptoms of PTSD may occur. Victims are likely to avoid certain settings and situations that remind them of
the abuse. Grace felt like she can have any relationship with men because of her
traumatic. It shows when Grace was asked out by a male friend of the foundation where she became volunteer.
She didnt want to have an affair with anyone. Not now anyway, and maybe never. It just wasnt what she wanted.
Paul Weinberg had called her several times to invite her to dinner, but she had declined.
Steel, 1998:202 Will you just have lunch with me once for heavens sake? Just
try it. You have to eat. Ill come uptown if you want, during the week. Whatever you like. But she didnt like. She liked him,
but she didnt want to date any man, and she didnt know how to tell him.
Steel, 1998: 205
When Grace took the time to help the victims of violence in St. Mary, she felt sad. Because they reminded her of the suffering of her past.
It gave her life so much more meaning. And at times it hurt too. It hurt terribly, because it was all so familiar. It breaks your
heart, doesnt it? one of the nurses commented a week before
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Christmas. Grace had been putting a two-year-old to bed. She had been brain-damaged by her father, who was in jail now. It
was odd to think that he was in jail, and her father, who had done things that were almost as bad, had died a hero.
Steel, 1998: 196
4.2.5 Shame
