In "The Children's Book" by A.S. Byatt, Dorothy experiences a sense of anxiety regarding her identity and familial connections. She grapples with the fundamental question of who she truly belongs to, feeling threatened by the uncertainty of her parentage. This inner turmoil leads her to instinctively distance herself from deep emotional attachments, particularly when it comes to her relationship with her parents. Dorothy's defensive approach to love reveals her fear of investing too much emotionally, as she worries that her affection may not be reciprocated. She takes a cautious stance, choosing to be clever and pragmatic with her feelings, lest she be hurt by discovering that her parents might not fulfill the role she imagines. This struggle highlights the complex dynamics of love and attachment within family structures.

In "The Children's Book" by A.S. Byatt, Dorothy experiences a sense of anxiety regarding her identity and familial connections. She grapples with the fundamental question of who she truly belongs to, feeling threatened by the uncertainty of her parentage. This inner turmoil leads her to instinctively distance herself from deep emotional attachments, particularly when it comes to her relationship with her parents.

Dorothy's defensive approach to love reveals her fear of investing too much emotionally, as she worries that her affection may not be reciprocated. She takes a cautious stance, choosing to be clever and pragmatic with her feelings, lest she be hurt by discovering that her parents might not fulfill the role she imagines. This struggle highlights the complex dynamics of love and attachment within family structures.