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Dysfunctional family relationships form the basis of many Canadian short stories. Often, tragedy is the end result of severe family breakdown. In other cases, personality defects are directly traceable to poor family dynamics. In the stories “Hurt”, “F ....

Middle of Essay
.... lack of rules or an authority figure demonstrates the dysfunctionality of this family. Also, Stevie’s father was a violent alcoholic. Skip observed that somedays Stevie’s father would be “...pounding on the walls with his fists and swearing and crying all at the same time...” (pg. 195) The parent/child role reversal , the lack of structure, discipline, and authority in the home and the violent episodes demonstrate the degree of dysfunction in this family. “Fall of a City” depicts the dysfunctional relationship between Teddy and his guardians. Teddy’s aunt is constantly ordering him around. After asking Teddy what he w ....