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If We Were Villains,
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Baker
I don't think the author meant to imply incest but rather characterize Richard as someone who sees other people as extensions of himself, and I mean that as derogatory. Richard exercises control over the girls because he knows he intimidates them and they can't fight him. He thinks himself as protective, in that kind of savior image, but he doesn't actually protect them. Instead, he sees them as spheres of influence for his own doing; he is the main character in some great play, and everyone else is the ensemble, therefore there is no issue with him meddling in their business.
I think the quote about 'not Meredith, and certainly not Wren' is meant to mean that Richard, as a boyfriend, can't police his girlfriend's life, and as a family member, can't police his cousin's life. Because of his connection and classical views of masculinity in a patriarchal society (which is seen in Shakespeare's works), Richard thinks that his views are just as much, if not more, important to the girls lives rather than their own views and opinions on how to live for themselves. Since Richard can't control the boys the way he can control the girls (physical intimidation and being their boyfriend/cousin) he has to belittle them, like in the first quote. He says "my girls" as a way to alienate Oliver and James from the rest of the group while also implying his own thoughts of control he has over them. Wren and Meredith both know of Richard's control issues, which is why they are often seen fighting his ownership over them, like when Meredith fights him at the party, or when Wren calls him out on his bullshit.
I think he definitely felt a kind of ownership over the girls, but it had more to do with his masculinity, narcissism, and selfishness than anything romantic/sexual, and by that extension, incestuous.
(I will say though that there is incest in "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt, which heavily inspired this book and this sub genre, so it is entirely possible that connections were put there weakly to emulate it, whether M.L. Rio did this consciously or not.)
I think the quote about 'not Meredith, and certainly not Wren' is meant to mean that Richard, as a boyfriend, can't police his girlfriend's life, and as a family member, can't police his cousin's life. Because of his connection and classical views of masculinity in a patriarchal society (which is seen in Shakespeare's works), Richard thinks that his views are just as much, if not more, important to the girls lives rather than their own views and opinions on how to live for themselves. Since Richard can't control the boys the way he can control the girls (physical intimidation and being their boyfriend/cousin) he has to belittle them, like in the first quote. He says "my girls" as a way to alienate Oliver and James from the rest of the group while also implying his own thoughts of control he has over them. Wren and Meredith both know of Richard's control issues, which is why they are often seen fighting his ownership over them, like when Meredith fights him at the party, or when Wren calls him out on his bullshit.
I think he definitely felt a kind of ownership over the girls, but it had more to do with his masculinity, narcissism, and selfishness than anything romantic/sexual, and by that extension, incestuous.
(I will say though that there is incest in "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt, which heavily inspired this book and this sub genre, so it is entirely possible that connections were put there weakly to emulate it, whether M.L. Rio did this consciously or not.)
Denise
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