In what ways do you think the women's actions are influenced by their backgrounds? How much responsibility does each bear for the situations in which they find themselves?

Both women are impacted by the lives they led before they became adults. In what ways do you think their actions are influenced by their backgrounds? How much responsibility does each woman bear for the situations in which they find themselves?

Childhood - parents, family and social/economic background impact how our lives are going to be as adults. You can decide to change your life according to your childhood or you continue the same path. Again, Eva was a survivor and took the path of least resistance. Clair had a thoughtful plan for escape. She really thought it through. She didn't just react to her situation and take off - without a clear idea of where she was headed and how to protect herself. Eva was thinking on her feet. When Clair's plan was sidetracked, she also thought on her feet and took what came her way. At that point, it didn't look like she had any other way out.

Our childhood and upbringing is always reflected in our adult lives. Clair and Eva had very different childhoods. The author wrote beautifully of the way each woman handled "her disappearance". Both were extremely resourceful and quick thinking.

I think they are very influenced by their backgrounds. But they are also influenced by their current events and they are adults and have the ability to control the way they ultimately choose to handle their situations. We are only a reflection of our backgrounds to some extent - how we grew up does not have to (and does not) completely define us.