The Corrections

Main Ideas

• Family relationships and their complexity: the book explores the dynamics of the Lambert family, showing how past mistakes and misunderstandings affect the present.
• Contemporary societal issues: Franzen touches on themes of capitalism, consumerism, and moral decline in the modern world.
• Psychological issues and personal crises: characters face depression, illness, and internal conflicts, reflecting their struggle for self-definition and happiness.
• Aging and illness: the book shows how aging and diseases like dementia affect both family and individual identity.
• Corrections and changes: the title of the book symbolizes the characters' attempts to fix their lives and relationships despite difficulties and resistance.