Shame and Secret

Chirstie's pregnancy out of wedlock and the assault by Peter Keith create a central secret that drives the plot, forcing characters to navigate public disgrace, private guilt, and the pressure to conceal the truth.

Wully's embarrassment and awkwardness around Chirstie suggest unspoken feelings and social anxieties.

Chirstie's avoidance of Wully and her hidden tears suggest a secret or shame that prevents her from openly reciprocating his feelings.

Chirstie's pregnancy is a shameful secret that isolates her; Wully's discovery forces a confrontation with the hidden truth.

Wully's lies about Peter Keith's disappearance and Chirstie's hidden pregnancy create a web of deception that shadows the marriage.