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In the novel it can be clearly seen how the children react on the divorce. The fact above tells the readers that each child has different way on accepting their parents
divorce.
1. The Influence of the Divorce on Lydia’s Behaviors
Older children are able to understand the reasons behind their parents’ divorce better. They recognize that strong differences of opinion, incompatible
personalities, and lack of caring for one another are responsible for what happens. There are many school-age and adolescent youngsters who react strongly to the
end of their parents’ marriage. It can be seen that Lydia and Christopher become rebellious children. For example Lydia yells to his mother for the first time in her
life. The more detail explanation will be discussed below Although, as a thirteen-year-old girl, Lydia is able to understand the
reasons behind her parents’ divorce, she reacts strongly to the end of her parents’ marriage. It can be seen through her behavior changing. She becomes brave to
argue with her parents. Her bravery is not in a good way. For example she dares to shout at her father and she does it many times.
“Oh, do stop being so silly” Lydia scolded her father impatiently. “You’re almost making Natty cry. You tell us off for it, and then you do exactly the
same.” p. 10The quotation above shows how she reacts when Lydia feels annoyed with her father’s behavior that makes Natalie cry.
Another example is when Lydia shouts at her mother for the first time in
her life and she regrets it. “Yelled. I yelled that …” She hesitated. Her voice was shaking at the
memory. “I yelled at her that, if she didn’t let me go today, she would regret it” p.188
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It happens when Lydia has a fight with her mother. She yells to her mother that she will not live with them any more and ignore about her parents’ rights. She
says that she has her own rights to make decision p. 188. She tells to her father that she shouts to her mother. Lydia shows her regret through her tears.
Berk 619-621 says, different sex also affects on the way the children response to divorce. Girls sometimes show internalizing reactions, such as crying,
self-criticism, and withdrawal. More often, they display some demanding, attention-getting behavior.
Daniel reached out his arms to each child in turn as they field past. Christopher’s hug was perfunctory. Lydia used Hetty cage as a shield to
protect her self for him. Even forgiving Natalie’s hug was brief p. 52.
The quotation above happens when the children feel disappointed, because their
father cannot convince their mother to leave them in Daniel’s apartment. The quotation also shows the internalizing reaction’s of Lydia.
As a girl it is not easy for Lydia to face her disappointment of her parents’ divorce. It can be seen trough her speech:
“Yes. And that’s the point. We were born. And we’re the only thing that lasted, aren’t we? I mean, the marriage was a failure. A total failure. And
you two aren’t really even friends anymore.” p. 186
Lydia also says: “Yes. The whole point. The only reason you two have any real contact. So
that gives us a sort of Extra Right. Don’t you see? Don’t you see? If we three are not happy with the way things are, then what was the point of all
those years? None None at all If you can’t work things out to suit us, then all it was total waste and total failure. p. 187
The above quotations can clearly describe Lydia’s sadness, disappointment, and anger. She is very tired facing her family issue. Berk’s 619-621 theories can be
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proved in this novel that the girls are not strong enough to face the reality of having a divorcing parent.
Lydia rose. Her rage lent her an ashen, fierce dignity that neither parent had seen before.
“I hate you both,” she informed them in an unsteady voice, and, turning, she walked into her bedroom and shut the door. p. 176
The quotations above prove that Lydia is very tired to see and hear her parents’ fights. The sadness and anger cannot be held any more until those feelings
explode by themselves. So because of the divorce, from a silent girl, Lydia becomes a
spontaneous girl, from dependent becomes independent as she must take care of her sister and
brother, and from a courteous child she becomes a brave child.
2. The Influence of the Divorce on Christopher’s Behaviors
