Many of the characters live in a state of denial about important aspects of their lives. Some examples of this motif are obvious. Robin enables himself to believe that none of his children realize Mercy has effectively moved out of their house and lives in her art studio. For decades, Alice’s son Eddie works diligently to protect his sexual orientation, only to have Claude point out Eddie has been denying the reality that all the adult Garretts have known all along that he is gay.

Other characters practice subtle forms of denial and distraction to avoid certain painful aspects of their lives. Until she marries Morris, Lily lives in a constant state of emotional upheaval that allows her to sidestep responsibility for her impetuousness. For example, when Alice confronts her with the reality that Trent is using her and has no lasting interest in her beyond sexual fulfillment, Lily denies it, saying Alice is jealous. Alice herself deflects the chaos of the Garrett house by imagining she stands outside herself, listening to a narrator describe what she goes through.