RAPE

[Pat]

This was a deeply disturbing book about a flawed southern family where all the women enabled the men. The "Hero" Uncle George, is at best a narcissistic Adulterer and at worst an unfeeling psychopathic rapist and possible murderer of the only beautiful, pure spirit in the Delta-- the girl in the woods. It makes me wonder-- was Eudora Welty raped by "Uncle Hero" herself as a young girl?

[Amy]

Interesting comment. Uncle George is complicated, but Welty writes the girl in the woods as a knowing, satisfied character. Taking everything we know about George, he is incapable of harming an innocent. He definitely did NOT murder her, as she stepped into the path of the Yellow Dog hours after George left her. I believe the book is also full of examples of the men enabling the women.