There are different types of family in society. Two of which are a nuclear family and an extended family. The definition of a nuclear family is a family consisting of a mother, father, children, and in some cases grandparents of a marital partner. Some people refer to a nuclear family as a conjugal family. An extended family is defined as a family that consists of parents, children, and other relatives such as aunts, uncles, cousins, or grandparents that live in close proximity. .
Of the two types of families defined, I think that in Summer of My German Soldier Patty has more of an extended family. The reason for that is she has her parents, a younger sister, Ruth, Anton, and her grandparents. Both her parents were not family figures in her life and were very mean to her. Also, Ruth, who was their colored servant, acted a lot like a mother figure in Patty's life. A quote from the book that displays how Ruth was more comforting to her than her own parents is:.
"He pointed a single quivering at me. "If you don't come over here this instant I'll give you a beating you're never goin to forget."".
Did that mean that if I came willingly he wouldn't hurt me? His face showed no sign of a thaw. Then I felt the warning spirit of Ruth. "The lord gonna protect all His children."".
Her grandparents actually made her feel like she was somewhat important unlike her mother and father. A quote from Summer of My German Soldier that shows how her grandmother was a comforting family member is:.
"Grandmother brought me a perfectly oval omelet. "I'm sorry to cause you all this trouble,"" I said.
"Trouble? An omelet is trouble?-.
"Well that and having to stay up to let me in last night."".
"It's nice having you "- she said, patting my cheek ""even if it's because of this mish-most."".
I feel as though the family in the story does not keep with the definition of the type of family that is supposed to be in the book.
