Within Arm's Reach

The shifting intragenerational and intergenerational dynamics between the McLaughlin family are essential to the narrative and emotional arc of the novel. While their father, Patrick, was alive, Kelly and her siblings have tried to stay connected, even with growing personality clashes and unresolved tensions. However, after he died, the family began to drift apart. The McLaughlin children became distant or confrontational toward each other, particularly Kelly and Meggy, who were never fond of each other. This is important because family dramas emphasize that the characters do not exist independently. Especially in families, characters are tied to one another, and their relationships—for better or worse—can seriously impact their lives. The title Within Arm’s Reach focuses on this dichotomy of family being so close but still so far away when new and old wounds threaten relationships.

One of the novel’s focuses is marriage. Louis and Kelly have grown distant in their marriage, talking to each other less each year. Eddie’s death increases this distance on Louis’s part, frustrating Kelly in the process. Becoming more resentful of her family’s pressure on her, Kelly starts to distance herself from her family and begins a secret affair with Vince Carrelli. However, when she learns that Louis does care deeply about her family and has been helping them greatly, she ends the affair and starts trying to be more focused on her marriage, especially when their anniversary approaches.

Sibling dynamics are another focus in the novel. For example, Gracie and Lila’s relationship has changed over the years. The sisters were bitter rivals when they were children but mellowed into distant but friendly sisters as adults. Gracie’s pregnancy creates some tension between her and Lila in the beginning, but as Gracie’s pregnancy progresses and Lila questions whether she wants to continue medical school, they begin to connect more, with Lila becoming Gracie’s birthing coach at the end of the novel.

The characters’ intergenerational dynamics change significantly throughout the novel. Catharine’s relationship with her granddaughter Gracie grows, even when other members of the family underestimate Gracie’s ability to be a good mother. Gracie also has a positive relationship with her aunt Angel, who—even though she was hoping to raise Gracie’s baby—supports her and talks excitedly about the baby. Kelly is depressed at first and sees Gracie as irresponsible, initially. However, when Gracie reveals that Meggy tried to convince her to give up the baby, Kelly becomes protective and supportive of Gracie and her future grandchild.

The tensest intergenerational relationship is the relationship between Gracie and Meggy. Gracie says that after her pregnancy was revealed, “Meggy murmured that this family became less with each generation” (128). Meggy’s statement shows her belief that as each McLaughlin generation became less Catholic, they have let go of the family’s values and are bringing shame to the family. Gracie finds Meggy unkind and forceful in this situation. After Gracie reveals she is marrying Grayson, Meggy is less judgmental but still sarcastically remarks that she is marrying a man who is not the father of her child. When Gracie goes into labor, however, Meggy quickly gets Noreen to help her niece.

The changes in perspective that take place during old age are represented by Catherine, as she tries to rectify her past mistakes. Catharine, who was a stern, distant mother and grandmother, now tries to get the family to come together more. She expresses the difficulty of this, nothing she is “not sure any child wants to know their parent, or vice versa” (70). Eventually, the family’s gathering at the hospital and the baby shower help the three generations of McLaughlins connect, even if they do not fully know each other or see eye-to-eye. Catharine also works to mend her past relationships, particularly with her late mother. Catharine always struggled to respect her mother, having had little patience for “her silly games and fantasies” (16) and the strange behavior associated with her mental illness. However, after her fall, Catharine has a vision of her mother, whom she confronts her over her perfectionism and lack of emotional openness with her children. The novel’s supernatural element allows characters like Catherine to connect with the past in an immediate way. This helps Catherine make peace with her mother while focusing on her family’s future.