Western societies base most of their ideals on emotional stability and creating intimate bonds with others. ... She is trying to contend with the loss of her husband to the work force overseas, the loss of her children as they become adults, the rental of her house to another family, and the exile from her youth as she lies on the brink of menopause. Kate's husband had to go overseas to earn more money to support the family, at the same time renting out the house that they had built their lives together in. ...