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ems theory. In this book, Cohen focuses on daughters with neurosis and analyzes their roles as carriers of the pathological family system. By dissecting the relationships between fathers and daughters in the nuclear families, Cohen finds that the sick daughter is the scapegoat for the whole family’s problems. Cohen introduces a new psychological theory to literary criticism with this book and provides literary critics with new inspiration. 

CHAPTER TWO THE CONFLICT IN MARRIAGE

2.1 The Impact of Survival Stance on the Relation Between Husband and Wife

At the very beginning of the story, Strout reveals to us about the heroine Olive Kitteridge’s family. Olive Kittredge is a math teacher at a high school in Crosby. Henry Kittredge who is Olive’s husband runs a pharmacy in Crosby. Olive and Henry have had quarrels frequently since they got married. A trivial matter in daily life could become a trigger for a conflict between them. However, the crucial cause of their quarrel is not the trivial things, but survival stances of Olive and Henry. It is their survival stances that give rise to emotional crisis between them.

Henry’s survival stance originated from a state of low self-esteem is evident in his interactions with others. According to family systems theory, Satir believes that people with low self-esteem tend to develop four survival stances including placating, blaming, being super-reasonable, and being irrelevant (Satir 40). The placating communicator will strive to smooth out troubles in order to maintain a pleasant atmosphere (Satir 36). Henry keeps an eye on the mood of customers in the pharmacy. If there are customers who are not satisfied with the price or the quality of the medicine, Henry will do his best to solve their problem quickly. Henry’s excessive concern for customers’ emotions reveals his placating survival stance. In addition, the person who placates will feel guilty and uneasy about events that are not his responsibility (Satir 37). Henry blames himself for the death of Mrs. Granger, who dies in her sleep, believing that Mrs. Granger’s death is due to his usual negligence of her symptoms. In short, Henry, who has a placating survival stance, puts all his attention on pleasing others because he wants them to stay in pleasant moods.

2.2 The Impact of Anxiety on the Relation Between Husband and Wife

The fifth chapter of Olive Kitteridge, which is headed “Starving”, tells us the fraught situation between Harmon and his wife Bonnie. It seems to residents in Crosby that the marriage of Harmon and Bonnie is a success. Specifically, Harmon and Bonnie have four sons, all of whom have successfully enrolled in college. Harmon and Bonnie can enjoy their life together finally without worrying about their sons. However, for Harmon, his feelings about marriage have changed from fullness and happiness to emptiness and anxiety. Specifically, there are no children willing to return to Crosby to inherit Harmon’s hardware store. It makes Harmon sad because he will not have any children with him in his old age. He mentions this frequently in his conversations with his wife Bonnie. However, although Bonnie consoles Harmon, he is still in a state of anxiety about not having his children with him. Harmon’s anxiety puts his marriage to Bonnie in crisis. 

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