It is of course apparent in society of the active roles that family members can take often are incredibly influential to an individual’s development over time - in both novels the idea of family and the way in which families can impact upon ones life, is clearly a main theme; each story draws heavily upon the idea that family pressures can, and do, overtly change the direction in which an individual’s life will take.
We are also exposed to the idea of family being representative of society as a whole and the socio-political tensions that are apparent in all cultures.
Throughout the two novels it is clear to the reader that the notion of ‘family life’ and the pressures and constraints of family, play an integral role in the progression of the story and character within each tale. In The Crow Road, Prentice McHoan, the protagonist, seems to struggle with the ideals he has in place around him - ideals that have been set by a disconnected - and what turns out to be - very troubled set of relatives. He has come back to his family home to attend the funeral of his recently deceased grandmother - only to reopen the mystery surrounding his uncle’s disappearance five years previously. It becomes apparent through further reading that Prentice’s uncle was “The family golden boy” and a great influence in our protagonist’s life - however Prentice never surpassed his Uncle’s status and much like his own father, is left in the shadow of his older brother.
Immediately we are given the notion of someone who is striving to achieve, but falling short time and time again. The protagonist is given the underdog status instantly and there is a sense of struggle against a system that is set in it’s ways (wealthy family - traditional Scottish values) and unable to change - drawing parallels with the conservative government versus workers unions issue present at the time of writing.
Similarly, A Thousand Splendid Suns focuses heavily on family life, constraints and...