Having established the threat of Gordon Sr.’s violence in the early chapters of the book, Knapp continues to explore The Effects of Domestic Abuse as the characters grow older. In Gordon Jr.’s storyline, Cora remains trapped in an abusive marriage. The author highlights the psychological impact of long-term abuse during the Atkins’ trip to the Cotswolds. Cora experiences a brief reprieve from Gordon Sr.’s brutality as he playacts the role of the ideal husband to impress the other couples. However, his uncharacteristically pleasant veneer is almost as unsettling to her as his violent outbursts. Knapp illustrates Cora’s difficulty in adjusting to this new dynamic in her frozen response when Gordon charges toward her. Even though he’s feigning playfulness, Cora automatically anticipates aggression—an instinctual, trauma-induced response. Later, Gordon plays a cruel psychological game with Cora when he instructs her not to overeat at dinner and then piles food on her plate. When Cora instructs Gordon Sr. to stop, she implicitly indicates that Gordon Sr. privately punishes her without explicitly describing that abuse, deepening the tone of dread and menace that permeates Cora’s relationship with Gordon Sr.

Bear and Julian’s storylines each reiterate the enduring after-effects of domestic abuse. Although free of her husband in Bear’s narrative, Cora’s date with Felix demonstrates a lingering inability to trust men. Meanwhile, in Julian’s story, Knapp captures the trauma experienced by children when one of their parents kills the other. Sílbhe’s observation that Julian “experiences life in greyscale, rather than allowing himself to become immersed in all its colours” (107) applies to both siblings as they move through the world with caution, making unadventurous choices. By clinging to the safe and familiar, Julian and Maia fail to live life to the fullest. In this narrative thread, the siblings also lack the close bond that Bear and Maia share. Maia’s reflection that “[t]hey don’t have that easy draw towards fun she imagines regular siblings might have” (118) suggests that both characters are emotionally inhibited due to their unresolved trauma.

Lily’s appearance in more than one narrative thread and her differing roles in each emphasize The Large Impact of Small Choices. As 14-year-olds, both Bear and Gordon Jr. are attracted to their classmate Lily. However, their interactions with her vary widely, highlighting the characters’ contrasting traits, developed as a result of their names. Bear has the self-confidence to express his attraction to and respect for Lily, describing her as “kind” and “smart” with hair like “liquorice toffee.” Their romance is the beginning of a long-term relationship that endures for the rest of Bear’s life. By contrast, Gordon’s lack of self-esteem leaves him unable to acknowledge his feelings for Lily, even to himself. His sexual assault on her and subsequent comments to the other boys show a disrespect for women that he has learned from his father. Consequently, Lily is a transient character in Gordon’s narrative.

The novel’s symbols and motifs come to the fore in these chapters, weaving consistent threads of connection between the parallel narratives. Art and creativity emerge as symbols of freedom of expression, as Bear and Julian display artistic streaks that bring them joy. While Bear crafts origami animals, Julian becomes passionate about silversmithing. In this context, Gordon Jr.’s lack of a creative hobby or outlet suggests an inability to explore and express his authentic self. Knapp also elaborates on the recurring motif of names in Gordon Jr.’s discovery of Gordon’s Gin. Gordon Jr.’s sensation of “an odd delight, a connection” (133) when he sees the green bottle of liquor with his name on it marks a pivotal point in his character’s development. While the gin makes him feel less inhibited, it also contributes to his assault on Lily, which negatively defines him and demonstrates the difficulty of Breaking Free from Generational Cycles. After the assault, the other boys’ familiar reference to him as “Gord” conveys a newly socially acceptable Gordon, based on his misogynistic and abusive behavior toward Lily.