A Stranger in the House

The dynamics between the three main characters in A Stranger in the House are defined by the secrets they are keeping from one another. In this way, the novel illustrates the impact of secrets on relationships. It shows how secrets create tensions in relationships, tensions that may or may not be resolved when those secrets are revealed.

Karen Krupp is the character with the darkest and most profound secrets. She has hidden her past from her second husband, Tom Krupp, for almost three years. As this past is gradually revealed, Tom’s faith in her is shaken. Although he loves her, he begins to question everything. He transforms from feeling as if “he knows his wife” (12) to the slow realization that “he doesn’t know that much about his own wife” (73). He is most shaken by the revelation that she was already married to Robert Traynor when he married her. He feels as if “her vows were meaningless” (174).

This dynamic illustrates two key aspects of their relationship. First, it shows how convincing an actor Karen can be. She is even able to convince her husband that Robert was abusive, even though it was a complete fabrication, like her identity as Karen Krupp. Second, it shows how when these secrets are revealed, it can be destabilizing and even frightening. Tom feels as if he has been living a lie. However, instead of these revelations driving them apart, and despite his insecurities, Tom feels more desperate than ever to reinforce his bond with Karen.

Tom Krupp has his own secret. He had a brief affair with Brigid before meeting Karen. As a result, he is deeply uncomfortable with Karen and Brigid’s close relationship. He also has sex with Brigid after Karen’s arrest. When this secret is revealed, Karen is shocked. She “think[s] of all the times she spent with Brigid, not knowing that she’d slept with her husband. She feels sick” (254). However, Karen quickly overcomes her shock to recognize that it is a boon in her case. It creates “reasonable doubt.” This quick about-face is illustrative of Karen’s cold, calculating nature—she is willing to put things aside to focus on what will benefit her.

Brigid Cruikshank also harbors secrets that impact her relationships with her husband Bob, Karen, and Tom. Brigid and her husband have been attempting to get pregnant unsuccessfully for some time. As a result, she has become “depressed and moody,” and her husband has “withdraw[n] from her” (44). In response to this, Brigid pursued an affair with Tom. She kept this affair secret from her husband, which further alienated them from one another. After Tom ended the affair and married Karen, Brigid was furious and began to scheme to get Tom back. She decided to do that by pretending to be Karen’s “good friend” and then using the accident as a pretext to ensure Karen is imprisoned. Karen is shocked by the revelation that “[Brigid] hates [her]” (254). By keeping these secrets and acting upon them, Brigid has alienated everyone in her life and isolated herself. This is illustrated at the end of the novel when her husband divorces her, leaving her alone in the house.

The novel’s ending also reinforces the sense that some secrets remain, even though not every character is aware of them. Brigid’s secret pregnancy could further upend Tom and Karen’s relationship, creating further problems for them, of which neither spouse is currently aware. Meanwhile, Karen’s recovery of her memory reveals that she did murder Robert and lied about experiencing abuse. The novel thus ends on a cliffhanger, raising the specter of more deep secrets that could continue to poison the relationships between the main trio.