In the novel “Looking for Alibrandi” by Melinda Marchetta, Josephine Alibrandi’s life is shaped by her mother, Christina, and her father, Michael. Through the influence of her parents, Josephine undergoes a transformation in her attitudes and thinking. By the end of the book, she becomes a different person compared to who she was at the beginning.
One example of this change is when Josie harshly tells Michael during an argument: “How dare you think that I want to be in your life! I don’t want you anywhere near us, especially my mother” (Josie’s words to Michael on page 69).
Initially, Josie harbors animosity towards Michael for mistreating her mother. However, as time goes on, Josie unexpectedly forms a bond with her father and he ultimately influences her choice to become a barrister in a positive manner. The initial conflict stems from the teasing Josie endures due to not having a father, which exacerbates her resentment towards him. Additionally, another important figure in Josie’s life is her mother, Christina.
Christina, as Josie’s mother, is likely to have the most significant influence on her daughter’s life. In the book, there is an argument between Josie and Christina where Christina expresses that if Josie had not been born, she would have pursued a career in pottery, which is one of her many passions. However, Josie misunderstands this statement and it has a profound impact on their relationship. Consequently, Josie believes that if she had never been born, her mother could have pursued her true passion without facing disapproval from the Italian community.
However, Katia Alibrandi also had an effect on Josie’s grandmother, influencing her to rebel against their “line” or family lineage, as her grandmother believes it to be cursed. As a result, Josie begins to date people whom she knows her family and the Italian community would disapprove of, in an attempt to break the perceived “curse”. This showcases the negative influence of family members. Additionally, Christina’s life was similarly impacted and transformed by her mother, Katia Alibrandi.
The main issues arise between the mother and daughter when Christina becomes pregnant with Josie. This leads to rejection from Katia and Christina’s father, causing Christina to perceive them differently and influencing her approach to raising Josie. The lack of support from her parents during this crucial period further strains their relationship. Additionally, Christina feels that Katia overly meddles in how Josie is raised, resulting in conflicts between them.
This has an impact on Christina’s approach to raising Josie because many children, and even some adults, have a tendency to do the opposite of what their parents tell them. Josie’s own realization reflects this: “You know, a wonderful thing happened to me when I reflected back on my year. ‘One day’ came. Because finally I understood.” (Josie- page. 261) Without the influences and impact of Josie’s parents and her grandma, she would not have reached this realization and would have had a poorer understanding of herself and others.
