Theme
The main theme of the short story “Her Share of Sorrow” by Tessa Hadley is that of discovery, enhanced by the motif of dysfunctional family relationships.
Discovery
This theme is illustrated by Ruby, a girl who is at the age when she is on the verge of discovering her identity. Ruby’s journey of self-discovery has probably begun earlier, from the moment when she realised that she was nothing like her parents and brother. This realisation has probably made her indulge in an unhealthy behaviour – resorting to food to solve her problems. What is more, before her journey to France, Ruby has found it very difficult to please her parents and to get involved in activities which every typical child likes.
Together with the discovery of the attic in the holiday house in France and of the Victorian nov...