Characterization

Laura

Oppressed by her husband. Laura is opressed both physically and mentally. From the very first sentence of the story, it is clear that she is being held down by her husband. He has one hand on the remote control, controlling what they watch, and the other hand on Laura's thigh to control her as well: 

"John is watching TV, one hand on the remote control, the other on her thigh. She keeps very still" (p. 8, ll. 1-2).

Physical oppresion. John punches Laura and she bites down on her frustration: ...