Introduction
The family is a social unit that plays distinct roles in the society. People are able to identify with their families for distinct reasons. In family furnishings, there is a clear relationship between identity and family. The family shapes an individual in special ways. In the course of growing, an individual will develop based on the approaches that the family employs to nurture them. In family furnishings, the story revolves around how the narrator changes her character, which she has acquired while living in the confines of her family. Once she walks out to live independently, she changes from a simple country girl to a cold-hearted being. This essay focuses on addressing the relationship between identity and family based on the book, ‘family furnishings.’
Discussion
The family has been a significant aspect in the life of the narrator. In her childhood, the narrator has been submissive and followed all the aspects that the family has taught her. This was necessary for the narrator in order to establish a foundation for her original identity. To identify with a family, one has to comply with all the aspects that the family upholds. In her upbringing, the family taught the narrator in the ways of positive upbringing. In the eyes of the reader, the narrator has been nurtured properly in her family before she walks out to live independently. Eventually, the narrator ends up turning to a snob. In my view, I would highlight that the narrator has been using the family as a caterpillar uses a leaf for nourishment. This is because she does not necessarily retain the upbringing characteristics, which she acquires while growing from her family as a child.
She disregards all the aspects she has observed and experienced while in her family as a youngster. Instead, to retaining the characteristic identity acquired from her family, she changes drastically when she is introduced to a new setting in her net level life. This explains the reason why she undergoes the changes she does to become what she now is. All the things that the narrator had know she had learned from her family. This clearly indicates that the family has a significant role in developing the sense of identity within an individual. An individual will be able to identify with a particular family if he or she demonstrates consistency with the aspects that the members of the family demonstrate.
Based on the argument of the narrator, the family models an individual in a distinct way, which determines how the individual identifies with the family. Certain approaches of nurturing an individual within the family may affect the identity of an individual either negatively or positively. Notably, the family did not give the narrator a broad base of knowledge outside the family home. This had a significant implication for the identity of the narrator. Essentially, on is not always expected to remain within the boundaries of the family forever. It reaches a time when they have to dissociate and live independently. If the approach employed to bring up the individual was inappropriate, it implies confiscation and limits to self-expression. The family shaped the future identity of the individual indirectly. This is depicted in her current characteristic behaviors. Her current encounters have turned her into a selfish, insensitive person who is well content with the kind of life she is now living. The identities she assumes in her different ages are different. There is a notable contrast between her identity as a young girls and identity as a woman. This is all attributable to the contribution that the family has made in her development and shaping of the characteristic identity.
Essentially, it does not always occur that an individual depicts their true character in what they display in their physical actions or appearance. The true character of an individual is usually depicted in an instance where they are brought in new setting where they live independently. Notably, the family plays a significant role in shaping individuals identity. Failure to expose individuals to different kinds of life and experiences may have a significant impact upon their identity when they come of age. This is depicted in the change of character of the individual, which unravels their identity when living as independent parties. Considering the case of the narrator, it is clear that the family influences the identity of an individual negatively or positively. The narrator had adopted distinct identities as noted because of the influence of the family.
