The Spectacular

While Simon attempts to assert control over Marion’s life choices, Marion resists her father’s authoritarian power and establishes her own path. During this emotional tug-of-war, both characters are blindsided by unpredictable circumstances beyond their control, which include the bomber’s acts of terrorism and Simon’s own worsening neurodegenerative illness, and these occurrences add complexity and nuance to each character’s relationship with control.

Acting out of fear for his daughters’ well-being, Simon lies to and manipulates his daughters while attempting to enforce obedient behavior on their part. Additionally, he obsesses over maintaining his public reputation as a good father and a respectable businessman. To this end, he lies to Marion and Judy multiple times, portraying himself inaccurately in order to gain unwarranted sympathy and respect. When all truths emerge, Marion realizes, “If only he’d been able to shake his old-fashioned view of women and mothers and let Lucille have both a career and a family. Times had changed but he’d refused, digging in even deeper when it came to Judy and Marion” (328). Set in his ways, Simon fails to hold himself accountable for the part he played in Lucille’s death. Instead, he redoubles his efforts to control the women in his life as Marion and Judy enter adulthood and struggle to pursue ambitions of their own.