Gertrude Flannery's Aggressive Behavior

Gertrude Flannery resides in Shady Hill but is out of sync with the upper crest residents. Her destructive behavior and self-absorbing behavior gave her little commonalties except with Jupiter and Francis Weed. They all have issues living in their environment. Gertrude wandered from house to house creating chaos, parents is disarray. “Looking into your son’s crib, you would find it empty, and looking further, you would find that Gertrude had pushed him in his baby carriage into the next village (337).” The residents never knew when or where she would appear next. She ignored all her neighbors and continued to do as she pleased. Gertrude behavior was very disruptive of the residents of the quiet community of Shady Hill because she refused to

Francis encounters the new babysitter that arouses new feelings that …“bring back into his life something like the sound of music (335). Francis feels he has missed something in his life and this misplaced love and fantasizing only results in more recklessly thinking and behavior. Francis begins fantasize a about leaving his family but his community has never had a divorce nor a scandal. “Things seemed arranged with more propriety even than in the Kingdom of Heaven (336). Shady Hill being a very conservative even considering or thinking of a divorce was disruptive thinking. The Weeds are a social couple especially his wife who loves going to parties. “He was grateful to the girl for his sensation of bracing independence (335).” Francis feeling his new found independence is rude to one of his prominent neighbors Mrs. Wrightson, because he felt liberated and it felt good. Francis actions insulting Mrs. Wrightstown caused extreme chaos and pain in the Weed family. Julia, Francis wife was upset because they have not been asked attend a party because of his actions and it also affected their children. “Mrs. Wrightson the one who decides who goes to the assemblies (341) Social standing and status was very important in Shady Hill and Francis

Francis encounters the new babysitter that arouses new feelings that …“bring back into his life something like the sound of music (335).” Francis feels he has missed something in his life and this misplaced love only results in more recklessly thinking and behavior. He does not care or thinks rationally when it comes to his lust for Anne, the babysitter .Francis is obsessed and begins fantasizing about the babysitter even considering leaving his family. Even just thinking about a divorce or separation was disturbing because Shady Hill being a very conservative community had never experience a divorce nor a scandal. “Things seemed arranged with more propriety even than in the Kingdom of Heaven (336).” Francis considering or thinking of a divorce is disruptive behavior. With his new found self-reliance Francis is …“grateful to the girl for his sensation of bracing independence (335).”Feeling empowered and liberated, Francis insults one of his prominent neighbors, Mrs. Wrightson, which gives him great pleasure. This destructive action and behavior not only effects his family but the community. Shady hill is a social community and Julia, Francis wife is upset because they have not been ask to attend a party .Francis does not realize at first