Welcome to a literary analysis of the repression in Everything I Never Told You

 

Introduction

Through the protagonist’s death, Lydia Lee, it is shown how repression has manifested for each one of her family members. We also see how repression is the foundation of the family dynamic, as it is built upon the products of repression. The impact of this further has led to generational trauma, secrets, lies, and eventually Lydia's death. We also see this represented through Lydia, as we learn how she is unable to reach out for help or verbalize her struggle with the weight of unreasonable expectations that her parents set upon her.

"The things that go unsaid are often the things that eat at you—whether because you didn't get to have your say, or because the other person never got to hear you and really wanted to.”

- Celeste Ng, Everything I Never Told You

About the Author

Celeste Ng is an Asian American novelist and writer. She has published many short stories, featured in a variety of literary journals. She has written multiple best sellers, and her work has won many prizes.