Everyone has some sort of greed and selfishness-- whether it be the food in their fridge, their friends, or the money that they have. But imagine being so greedy that you leave your children to virtually die in an unfamiliar attic, just so you can have a less stressful life filled with money and wealth. One of the strong themes that are in Flowers in the Attic by V.C.Andrews is the point that there is greed going on throughout the entire book. The selfishness and greed that is being captured in the book is always masked with gifts, presents, and ideas that things will change, but they never really do.
The main character, Cathy, lives in unusual circumstances when she and her three siblings are left to virtually fend for themselves for more than 3 years in an ancient, dusty attic that is home to a grandmother that is more wicked that the Witch of the West. The daughter to the wretched grandmother is the mother to the four kids that are locked in the attic. The irony of the whole situation is that the mother isn't anything like her own mother, they are exact opposites--up until they move into the attic. Something about the creaks in the floor boards, or the empty chill that lingers on the attic stairs changes the mother into something else.. a clone of her own mother.
From the beginning to the end, nothing about any of the kids or adults lives are the same, some for the worse and some for the better. The mother got the better end of the deal, left with endless amounts of money, a mansion beyond belief in size, and a charming 24 year old husband that fancies her. But with all of the riches she has become of, her heart grows smaller and smaller to the things that really matter; her children. Her lust and love for her money has left her forgetting about her own kids-- her starving, malnourished kids that haven't seen the light of day for 3 years.
"You will be out of here in a few days, darlings. This is only temporary for I need to get my father back onto my side and love me again. I promise, this will all pass in a few days. Your grandmother will take care of you." She covers her own greed and selfishness with kisses and expensive games, but keeps pushing the time that the kids can leave the attic further and further down the road, promising escape soon, but never actually providing it. When will she think about someone other than her and her husband? When will she realize that there are four kids..her own kids..that are on the verge of death just in the other room? When will she understand that money doesn't buy health?
From the beginning to the end, nothing about any of the kids or adults lives are the same, some for the worse and some for the better. The mother got the better end of the deal, left with endless amounts of money, a mansion beyond belief in size, and a charming 24 year old husband that fancies her. But with all of the riches she has become of, her heart grows smaller and smaller to the things that really matter; her children. Her lust and love for her money has left her forgetting about her own kids-- her starving, malnourished kids that haven't seen the light of day for 3 years.
"You will be out of here in a few days, darlings. This is only temporary for I need to get my father back onto my side and love me again. I promise, this will all pass in a few days. Your grandmother will take care of you." She covers her own greed and selfishness with kisses and expensive games, but keeps pushing the time that the kids can leave the attic further and further down the road, promising escape soon, but never actually providing it. When will she think about someone other than her and her husband? When will she realize that there are four kids..her own kids..that are on the verge of death just in the other room? When will she understand that money doesn't buy health?
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