Behind Closed Doors

Jack expects Grace to basically act like a 1950s housewife. This is a cover for his keeping her imprisoned in the house. She also must execute cooking and hosting duties to perfection. Working women, Diane and Esther complain about having to balance raising kids with their jobs. They are mystified as to how Grace can keep herself entertained. Grace notes of Esther, “It’s not that she doesn’t appreciate perfection, as I first thought, it’s more that she’s suspicious of it” (38). Esther and Diane might have messier, more hectic lives, but they also have the privilege and freedom of being able to go out and work and make their own decisions, while Grace is literally stuck.

Both Jack and Grace have been neglected by their parents. Jack’s father emotionally and physically abused him until Jack began beating up his mother. Grace and Millie were both unwanted, and their parents have spent the rest of their lives regretting the decision to have children. This has caused resentment between Grace and her parents and she distances herself from them. Jack, to horrify Grace, also neglects Molly the puppy while they are away on their honeymoon, and the puppy eventually dies.

Jack preys on fear. It’s why he entrapped Grace into this marriage: so he can inspire terror in her and eventually in Millie. Jack relishes when Grace tries to escape because she is so afraid of being caught. He can’t wait to do the same thing to Millie, except Millie’s extreme innocence will cause her to be even more terrified.

Grace experiences a lot of fear as a result of Jack’s actions. At the beginning of her predicament, though she wants to die, she is afraid of what Jack will do to Millie. It is the reason that she has to obey Jack, or at least try to. It also ends up being one of her motivations for eventually outsmarting Jack and killing him.