Lack Of Communication In Portia

characters in Portia’s life, she deals with equally negative characters in her life. Thomas, her half brother is given the responsibly to take care of Portia. However, the only way he takes care of her is financially. He provides no emotional stability or companionship for Portia; instead he shuts her out and treats her like a stranger. When Thomas and Anna decide to take a summer vacation, Portia never crosses their minds as an extra companion. In the novel, a conversation between Thomas and Portia takes place about Thomas and Anna’s summer travels, however Portia’s exclusion is obvious, “‘I forget if we told you we are going to Capri. I said that would be very nice. He coughed and said, I mean Anna and I are going’.” (Bowen 152). The first element of Thomas’ lack of communication clearly demonstrates his lack of connection with Portia, when he never mentioned his vacation to her.

Including Thomas Anna, Portia’s step- sister, also display cruel character in Portia’s life. Instead of Anna trying to nurture Portia, who has lost both her parents and is attempting to adapt to a new lifestyle, she only takes out anger and ill emotions on Portia, amplifying Portia’s feelings of confusion and misery. Anna expresses her true emotions towards Portia well speaking to herself she states, “She has put me into a relation with Thomas that is no more than out taunting, feverish jokes. My only honest way left it to be harsh on both them, which I honestly am.” (Bowen 343) Anna obviously blames Portia for her failing marriage and makes an effort to taunt Portia. Portia, once again gets treated poorly and becomes exposed to the evils of the worlds. In addition to Thomas and Anna’s mistreatment to Portia, Eddie, Portia’s lover, adds to the