Throughout the entire novel, the narrator, Lyman Ward, illustrates all of the three ego states, Parent, Adult and Child. Lyman's physical state and encounters with others influence his ego state status. The retired professor's ego states are brought out by his work and the people he interacts with.
When Lyman Ward interacts with Shelly Rasmussen, the aide that performs secretarial duties, he normally is in his Parent ego state. Shelly's choice of life style and intellect creates a conflict between the professor and the aide. When she begins to question him on his grandmother's sexual conduct he attempts to control her actions by questioning her and telling her that was the way it was "that's what they would have done, turned out the light." Also, when talking about his ex-wife, Lyman Ward becomes short and quickly ends a conversation with his son, Rodman. Lyman directs Rodman's behavior by ending the conversation quickly and telling him that he has nothing to say to her and that should be told to her.
When writing his novel, Lyman, is in the Adult ego state. With little emotion, Lyman dictates the historical account of his grandmother's transient life. Being a retired professor of history, he describes the all the people and places with a historical accuracy that his career allowed him. Lyman describes all the events in his grandmother's life as they were, helping the reader of his book understand and learn the history of his life. Lyman goes into the Adult ego state once again when he thinking about Ada's version of Shelly's marital situation. He is trying to describe to himself what is correct and not correct and avoid the motherly biases that Ada has. Later in the book, Lyman questions himself. He questions his intentions, why he is doing what his is doing and why he is there. This is another sign that Lyman is in his Adult ego state. He is answering the questions with factual and neutral answers.
