In Cass's Shadow

When it comes down to the bottom of every situation, there are two options: let it happen, or don’t. In the book Dreamland Caitlin is in an abusive relationship. Rogerson hits her. If she is late somewhere, he hits her. If she talks to another boy, he hits her. If she does anything that he doesn’t like, he hits her. Why doesn’t Caitlin find the strength to leave him, because he is no good? Why is she staying in this abusive lifestyle, when all she needs to do is leave? Though she could have left, Caitlin stayed because this situation set her apart from her sister, gave her new friendships, and make her feel special, when she was being ignored by the ones she thought were always there. 

Growing up, Caitlin was always compared to her sister. Anything Cass did, Caitlin was expected to do, too. Then Cass ran away from home on Caitlin’s 16^th birthday. There was no one there for Caitlin to be compared to, she could finally be her own person. On page 146, Caitlin says, “All I’d ever wanted to make was my own path, far from Cass’s. And even after what had happened, I wasn’t ready to give that up yet.” Cass would have never dated such a mysterious bad boy. This boy, though he hits her, sets Caitlin apart from Cass, and she likes that.

Caitlin never had many friends. She wasn’t alone in life or anything, but mainly hung around one or two people. However dating Rogerson, Caitlin met someone who would soon be her best friend: Corinna.  Rogerson hung around with Corinna’s boyfriend, and eventually introduced the two girls. She knew that if she had to leave the situation, she would also lose her friend Corinna, and that wasn’t something that Caitlin was willing to do.

When her sister left, Caitlin’s parents interests all focused around finding Cass. Calling Cass. Cass this, Cass that; all Cass. In my opinion, part of Caitlin staying in this relationship was because she wanted a cry for help. I think a small part of her wished that her parents would find out, like they eventually did, so then their attention would be back on her. I think Caitlin was really hurt that even when her sister wasn’t there, that her parents still worried more about Cass more than her. All she wanted was attention that she deserved.

Those two options that you have may seem easy on the outside. Yes or no. Letting things happen, or not letting them happen. However, you have to take the whole situation into account. Yes, if Caitlin left Rogerson she would get out of being hit, but she would also lose her individuality, her best friend, and her parents' attention. Even if she wanted out of the relationship, I don’t think Caitlin would ever have the strength to leave.