Plainsong

            In the compelling novel, Plainsong, abandonment is a frequent theme seen within the characters. Desertion, emotional withdrawal, and death are three examples in which will be further explained through three characters within the novel. Although, they experienced strong feelings of abandonment, the characters relied on their community for support and encouragement.
             Victoria Roubideaux was abandoned by her mother when her love, guidance, and support were crucial. Her mother showed distinct signs of abandonment after she discovered that she was pregnant by stating: "You got yourself into this, you can just get out of it." The feeling of abandonment that Victoria was experiencing forced her to mature at an earlier age, due to the fact that, she was going to be a mother herself. I believe Victoria became a stronger young woman when she was forced to face the harsh reality that her mother wasn't going to be there for her. Fortunately, she found the "motherly love" she desired within Maggie Jones who steered her in the right direction by introducing her to the McPheron brothers. Although, she initially made some poor decisions pertaining to Dwayne during her stay, she realized that he was nothing but a negative influence in her life. This clearly defined that she had grown and matured. .
             Ike and Bobbie are two young brothers who appear emotionally withdrawn from the outside world. They seem to cope rather well, but that is because they hardly say more than two words. Silence is their way of coping. Even with Mrs. Stern's death, although extremely saddened, no tears were shed. They completely withdrew themselves from the situation by staying overnight with the McPheron brothers the night they found her. Just when Ike and Bobbie are about to let down their guard, an incident would occur that would inevitably drag them down. The humiliating pain inflicted from Russ was their last straw, sending them back to where they started.