Theme

The main theme in “Logjam” by Ron Wallace is conflicting relationships and the way they affect children. This theme is enhanced through motifs like power and control (Christine dominates the relationship) or victimization (Peterson victimizes himself).

Conflicting relationships

The short story explores the theme of conflicting relationships through the characters of the parents, Christine and Peterson, but also through their relationship with their daughters.  

The whole plot of the story is constructed around the conflict between Christine and Peterson who have been married for 20 years. At first, the conflict appears to be caused by a stressful external situation (the rainy weather) and by the fact that the characters have different perspectives on holidays (Christine likes action, Peterson likes relaxation).

However, as the story progresses, we find out that the conflicting relationship the characters have is caused by deeper differences in personalities and perspectives. After their marriage, Christine became a more assertive, independence-focused woman. She rejected the idea of men’s superiority and women’s dependency on them. This led her to becoming controlling and domineering in...