Control in I For Isobel Alyssa Barron 12th Grade

Isobel was not responsible for her mother’s unjust actions when she was a child but as a result of Ms Callaghan’s distortion and sadistic manipulation, Isobel closed herself off emotionally grappling for control over her own life. Through the characterization of Ms. Callaghan we are able to understand Isobel’s past and what eventuated in her shutting herself off emotionally from everyone. Her mother served as the ‘invisible knife’ and a reminder of what happens when Isobel allows people into her life. The imagery of the emotional isolation that Isobel faces throughout her adolescence is shown through the recurring symbol of building a wall and making her life “into a room” and choosing who she emotionally opened up to. Isobel goes through an emotional journey but the theme of internalized anger and need for control was the catalyst for Isobel finally realizing that her mother’s treatment was not her fault and that she could not choose to make her “life into a room and choose what came into it” and ultimately her grapple for control evolves into her realization that she is the master of her own destiny.

Witting’s characterization of Ms. Callaghan challenges the notion of maternal responsibility and ultimately makes Isobel shut...