Did learning about Adam’s childhood affect the way you felt about him? To what extent are we responsible for our adult actions, and how much is an unavoidable consequence of our childhood?
An abusive childhood is reprehensible. I can never understand that kind of cruelty. Some people don’t have the capacity to get over that trauma, however. Yet as adults we are still responsible for our choices.
Knowing Adam’s childhood certainly made me more sympathetic to him, but I was still sympathetic to Anya as well. Adam was still responsible for his actions as an adult, but the reality is that he wouldn’t have been the way he was without his upbringing.
Learning about Adam’s childhood did explain a lot about him, yet he continued the cruelty. It is always interesting to me how some people continue the cycle of abuse, while others are able to move past it and try to make a change in their lives and become very protective of others. It is one of the mysteries of human nature.
Knowing about Adam’s upbringing made me sympathc but as an adult, Adam did not take any responsibility for his actions. In fact, his last words showed the pattern would continue to repeat itself by his own hands. I don’t think his warped mind would let him be any other way.
When the reader finds out about Adam’s childhood, a lot more about his actions makes sense. That doesn’t mean the actions are morally right, though.
Right from the get go I thoughtsomething was wrong/off with him. Its hard not to see him as a monster. But, his history does make me somewhat understanding of why he became what he did. I think some people break and he did
It left me feeling a little more confused about Adam. I wanted him to have risen above what he had suffered. I don’t think that what he did was unavoidable - just very poor choice.
I was definitely confused about him. The Asher version of him seemed to be trying to help, having witnessed the kids’ dad do things he was lying about, and apparently was killed by the dad. Then later we discover he was somehow not killed and was almost the opposite of who he appeared to be before.
As Asher he seemed caring and genuinely concerned about the children. As Adam, though he was deranged. As a child he was abused and manipulated, which is why he as Asher was able to con others.
I feel we are 100% responsible for our adult life - regardless of our upbringing. By adulthood we know right from wrong and how to conduct ourselves. Obviously mental illness or being unschooled can take a toll on a person and left in that environment it can alter things. However most people are not, so the majority of people are 100% responsible for their actions.
As far as Adam/Asher - when he came to them as Asher he was wise enough to disguise himself and his actions - so he was not dumb. He CHOSE to be the person he was - he was despicable by choice.
I actually felt sorry for him when he was Asher trying to befriend Effie. No question he had a terrible upbringing but I didn’t care for him as Adam.