One True Thing Ellen Kate Character Analysis

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A six-letter word that no individual wants to hear; a six-letter word that has the audacity to take away, change, and mold not only an individual but everyone around that individual. In the book One True Thing, by Anna Quindeln Kate a wife and mother of three becomes diagnosed with cancer. Ellen, Kate’s only daughter drops everything and moves back home to take care of her mom. Through this paper I am going to discuss the relationship between Ellen and her mother as well as the concept of social support. Specifically, the coping mechanisms Ellen and Kate use throughout Kate’s diagnosis. Next, I will analyze the concept of control and how it plays an important role in Ellen and Kate’s relationship. Finally, I will examine how the term normalcy …show more content…

In other words that is what social support is. In the book social support is shown in various types of way. The first way social support is shown through coping. Coping is defined as the fashion in which individuals deal with stress. Ellen and Kate both cope but they cope for different things and in different ways. Ellen is coping with the reality that her mother isn’t going to get better. On the other hand, Kate is coping with the loss of everyday things. The book depicts Kate as a go-getter. A person who can’t sit still she always has to be working on a project, a busy bee perhaps. But when cancer starts to take a toll on Kate’s body everyday things that she enjoys doing aren’t possible for her to perform anymore. Therefore, Ellen steps in and tries to help her mom. “It took me all afternoon to make the meal. She sat and gave instructions (pg. 68).” This excerpt is when Kate’s invited her friends over for lunch. Since Kate was unable to prepare the meal Ellen stepped in her place. By this action Ellen was trying to make the loss of cooking easier on her mother. This type of coping is shown through problem solving. In other words, “changing what can be changed”(201, Du Pre). Even though Kate couldn’t physically cook she was still able to be apart of the experience by giving instructions to Ellen. Therefore, Kate used problem solving to help her cope with this

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