Once There Were Wolves

The behavior pattern of domestic violence is often represented as a three-phase cycle in which loving and abusive behavior alternate. The three phases are commonly known as the tension-building phase, the crisis phase, and the calm or honeymoon phase. American psychologist Lenore Walker developed the model in her now-classic book The Battered Woman (1979) to better understand the complex nature of abusive relationships and why women stay with and at times defend the men who abuse them. The behavior of characters in the novel who are involved in abusive relationships, and even the behavior of the communities in which abusers reside, follow this pattern.

The first or tension phase is characterized by walking on eggshells so as not to upset the abuser. The partner fears that any perceived infraction can set off an episode of violence. In the novel, this phase mirrors Aggie’s behavior toward Gus. She matches his moods and makes sure he believes that she is having fun. Like Lainey, she keeps her fear hidden, knowing that her abusive husband will become angrier if he senses a change in her demeanor.

Duncan’s explanation of how he got his limp is an example of how a tension and crisis phase combine: “My father took to [my leg] with a cricket bat.