My Sister's Keeper - Check in #2 Family Roles

Hey students!
I found this blurb about family roles in our novel. Check out the insights and post what you think. Penny for your thoughts?

The members of the Fitzgerald family each exemplify a role or “place” in their family structure. For example, it’s easy to see that Jesse is troubled, Anna is a martyr and Brian, the Dad, a peacekeeper. Roles exist in every family unit. Explore the reasons and depths of these roles in the following questions, as well the impact of these roles on others.

• What role does Kate play in the family? How do you think she handles her “place” in the family?
• Anna feels her only role is to be a donor for Kate. Do other members of the family feel Anna fulfills any other roles? If so, describe them.
• In the book, Jesse’s character is expanded upon in greater depth and detail than in the movie. He engages in destructive behavior towards himself and his environment, including smoking, drinking and setting fires. He also physically lives a separate life from the rest of the family in a room over the garage. Despite all of this, he demonstrates a clear love and loyalty for both of his sisters. Why do you think this is so?
• Why do you think Jesse is troubled, and what factors contribute to his behavior?
• Describe Sara. Other than being the mother, what role(s) does she play in the family and situation?
• Discuss the subjectivity of Sara as a mother in contrast to being the attorney in court defending one daughter against the other.
• Brian works to hold the family together and be understanding of the needs and desires of the children, more so than his own. Compare and contrast his profession as a firefighter with his peacekeeping role in the family.
• Do you think people have a choice in what their role or “place” is in a family? Why or why not? Do you play a role in your family? If so, what is it?