The Other Americans

“In my family, my father was the consoler.”

The death of Nora’s father leaves an emotional void in her family. She finds herself filling this void almost accidentally, stepping into a role her father performed. The need to console is evident in the family but the figure who provides the consoling is absent. Nora’s character is revealed by the way she steps into the role almost without thinking. She is like her father; she is strong and supportive, and she is struggling to deal with the devastating loss which has left a black hole in the center of her life. 

“I didn’t either after my mom died. Not for a while, anyway.” 

Jeremy and Nora share their difficulties in dealing with the death of a parent. Nora admits that she cannot allow herself to cry and Jeremy admits that he felt the same. The inability to cry is not due to their grief. Both Jeremy and Nora are overcome with sadness. But the shock of the sudden loss means that the refuse to allow people to see them cry. Neither Jeremy nor Nora allow themselves to surrender to grief as it would be a sign of weakness. They want to remain strong, to make their departed parent proud, and they do not believe that crying will help.