The Beet Queen is centered on one theme and that is abandonment. Because of this motif, the characters of this novel are affected. Karl, the abandonment of his mother left him looking for a motherly figure in his life. Mary, another victim of the abandonment became solid, hard head. And of course the abandonee, Adaelaide the cause of her children¡¦s suffering was short temper, without the love of her children. During the 40 plus years …showed first 75 words of 725 total…

…showed last 75 words of 725 total…box that held Adalaide¡¦s jewelry as a payment for her stay. This proves that she was solid and independence. When Adalaide write a letter to the family of Fritzie about her children well being, Mary forged Fritzie signature and wrote ¡§ All three of you children starved dead¡¨. (Pg. 58) The abandonment made Mary lost completely trust in her mother. Now in her new environment she wanted to lose the past that brought her no comfort.