We are seeing this from Morris' perspective and as him as the main character. We can't really determine anything about Penny accept via his observations and opinions of her. He never says 'she was drinking so I hid in the basement.'. I assume he would have, since he narrated that he disapproves of her smoking, her anger, her facial expressions and everything else she does.ROU Killing Time wrote: I still don't think you can minimize Penny's responsibility for her drinking, however. She was the one that went to the liquor store, cracked the seal on the booze, and fed her addiction.
Because this is HIS story, he is the one that is easier to find fault in. If it was a story that was more about Penny, we could say more about her drinking problem and her responsibility. Of course it takes two to tango in a relationship. Of course no one forces booze down anyone or makes anyone stay. But it's not about Penny really. It's about Morris and his choices, so I criticize him.
All I can say if I knew someone that was married to Morris I'd tell her to leave him. He wants her to cheerfully hand over her future and money as he does what he pleases. He wants to control what she does by his disapproval of her emotions and behavior. He doesn't ask for her input or share with him. He spends her money with no concern. Frankly he is an abusive jerkface and I only know that because he narrates it himself. Penny could be just as bad, but she is a supplementary character and we don't know enough about her.