Unique Family Structures Displayed in Who Has Seen the Wind and "To Set Our House in Order" All households studied in Who Has Seen the Wind and "To Set Our House in Order," include minor characters who have power, demonstrate acceptable behaviour yet fail to provide proper nurturing - all acting as major influences on the order with which the main characters conduct their lives. The main characters in both works, both still quite young in their years, need older influences within the home to demonstrate power, in order to grow up with structure to be better people. Father Gerald O'Connal found within Brian's home in Who Has Seen the Wind, is the first to have power within the home. He is one of the two main characters with power within the home as well as within the community because of his, "university education, his fine business and his fine home," (Mitchell 17). He not only provides an income for his family, but provides his children with the structure in which they need to grow. The second character who has power, is Grandmother MacMurray. She is to take care of the family and look after young Brian. He knows to listen when she scolds, "If ye stay inside ye'll disturb the baby. Ye must go out!," (5). Brian has had to follow his grandmother's strict rules and order since his mother became pre-occupied with Brian's sick brother Bobbie. Similarly, Vanessa's Grandmother MacLeod in "To Set Our House in Order," is the main character who demonstrates power within her home. When Vanessa becomes upset over her mother's illness, her grandmother offers no consolation, only to say "Vanessa, big girls of ten don't make such a fuss about things," (45). She is a strong-willed, rigid woman possibly because it was never her intention to have to care for a family. Unfortunately, Grandmother MacLeod is obligated to take after the house and look after Vanessa until Vanessa's mother conceives a child. Both works displayed three strong ...
