Without Merit

Barnaby and Victoria lie to their children regularly to protect their innocence. Vicky also withholds the truth from her children: “My mother sits down on the bed, dumbfounded. ‘Merit. There are some things you’re too young to understand’” (148). All three parents underestimate their children’s ability to accept the truth. While their lies are well-intended, sheltering the children from the truth limits Honor, Merit, Utah, and Moby’s ability to understand their family dynamics. Victoria lies to Moby about sex, death, and the definition of a curse word. Similarly, Barnaby lies to the older Voss children about the severity of Vicky’s mental health symptoms, thinking the children would judge her if they knew the truth. However, this works against Barnaby, especially with Merit, who believes her mother is neglecting them on purpose. Once Barnaby reveals the truth about Vicky, the siblings can understand and justify Barnaby’s past affair with Victoria and his current relationship with Vicky. Additionally, the Voss children develop more sympathy for their mother and become more protective of her.

Utah and Honor ask Merit to keep their secrets, further driving a wedge between Merit and the rest of the family. The secrets Merit keeps worsen her symptoms of depression, nearly pushing her to violence.