The Problem of Family Values in Anna Todd’s After

Abstract

This article examines the complex portrayal of family values in Anna Todd's After (2014), analyzing how dysfunctional family relationships shape the protagonists' personalities and romantic dynamics. The study explores themes of parental neglect, emotional abuse, and the search for surrogate family structures through the lens of Tessa Young and Hardin Scott's turbulent relationship. Using textual analysis and psychological literary criticism, the paper reveals how Todd's novel critiques traditional family paradigms while simultaneously reinforcing toxic relationship patterns as normalized behavior. Anna Todd’s After (2014) delves deeply into the impact of family dynamics and values on personal identity and relationships. Through the central characters Tessa Young and Hardin Scott, Todd examines themes of control, emotional trauma, and the influence of upbringing. This article explores the tension between traditional family expectations and the pursuit of individual freedom, highlighting how familial values can shape, support, or hinder the emotional development of young adults.