The Chicken Sisters

Strife between family members creates an imbalance in the dynamics between individual characters and the entire family unit, causing the characters’ daily lives to be negatively impacted by the turmoil. By introducing the conflict between Mimi and Frannie at the beginning of the text, which took place in the late 1800s, the novel depicts how long-standing family feuds can disrupt relationships even in future generations. When Barbara blocks Amanda from entering Mimi’s after her honeymoon with Frank, she tells Amanda, “It’s not me, Amanda. You know the way this works. You’ve always known. Did you really think you could have both?” (51). Within this question, Barbara summarizes the prolonged rift between Mimi’s and Frannie’s families that expands past the bounds of time. Barbara questions why Amanda believes that she could be present at both restaurants, not only because of the family rivalry, but the financial one as well. Knowing that the Pogociello family has attempted to buy not only her home but also her restaurant, Barbara views Amanda’s marriage as a betrayal. Although Amanda chooses to marry out of her love for Frank, she loses her relationship with her mother even though she does not understand the deep-rooted plight between Barbara and the older Franks.