59 pages • 1 hour read
The Perfect Son
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Themes
The Threat of Inheritance and Genetics
Content Warning: The source text includes references to physical assault, psychological manipulation, child abuse, and animal abuse. Additionally, the source material uses offensive terms for mental health conditions throughout, which are replicated in this guide only in direct quotes of the source material.
The theme of The Threat of Inheritance and Genetics plays a major role in The Perfect Son. It is important to note, however, that this theme relies heavily on harmful stereotypes about people with mental health conditions. While many psychological thrillers use the trope of violent criminals with mental health conditions, researchers have established that this stereotype is inaccurate. In reality, people with psychiatric conditions are much likelier to experience violent crimes than to commit them. Early in the novel, Erika is mystified by Liam’s disturbing and violent tendencies, especially since she thinks he grew up in a typical home. However, she eventually learns that Liam is related to two murderers: her father, Melvin, and husband, Jason. While Erika is concerned that she inherited a tendency toward violence from her father and potentially passed it to her son, she does not suspect Jason’s insidious influence over his son. The Perfect Son explores the influence of both nature (genetics) and nurture (taught and modeled behavior) over Liam’s violent tendencies.
Even before Erika learns her father is alive, she feels that he and Liam are alike: “It was hard enough knowing my dad never got to see me grow up, and it’s another sting to know he’ll never meet the grandson who looks just like him” (11). Liam’s physical resemblance to his grandfather symbolizes their other potential similarities, serving as physical evidence of Erika’s fears. When her mother tells her the truth, Erika begins to “imagine what else Liam inherited from this man” because he’s “the grandson of a murderer” (235). This revelation instills a new fear in Erika, convincing her of Liam’s guilt in ways that his behavior itself didn’t and making her blame herself for Liam’s problems. Before learning about her father, she “always believed that while Liam had his issues, it wasn’t [her] fault. But now [she] know[s] the truth” (262). By assuming that her genetic material is the reason that Liam has disturbing and violent tendencies, Erika takes responsibility for his actions. As a result, she spends much of the novel trying to protect and prevent Liam from his tendencies, overlooking her murderous husband and his influence over their son.
The final chapters of The Perfect Son reveal Jason as a serial killer. While on the surface, Liam does not resemble his father, Jason expresses his belief that Liam takes after him. The relationship between father and son also connects to the theme of Appearance Versus Reality, as much of the truth of their relationship hides beneath the surface. It is clear that Jason believes that Liam inherited his violent tendencies. However, threatened by Liam, Jason works to undermine his son, attempting to frame him twice. Jason’s first attempt at framing Liam, when he tries to kill Liam’s teacher with a carbon monoxide leak, gives Liam a reputation and undermines his mother and teachers’ trust in him. The novel suggests that, in addition to a supposed genetic connection, this false belief may have influenced Liam’s bad behavior. Notably, Liam kills Jason with ease and comfort, implying that he is more like his father than he’d like to admit. By the end of the novel, both nature and nurture appear to have had a hand in Liam’s behavior.
Appearance Versus Reality
Much of The Perfect Son concerns the differences in Appearance Versus Reality. Many characters in the novel have a public persona that differs from private reality. Some characters work to cover reality with a false appearance, while others work to uncover them, but just about everyone in the novel either has or creates a false perception.
The novel pays special attention to Liam’s attempts to hide his supposedly violent nature. For many years, Erika has swallowed her concerns about Liam’s tendencies because he appeared accomplished and well-adjusted. She describes him as a great performer, noting that “We always pretended like Liam was the perfect son, and he played the role to a tee” (357), suggesting that part of her was aware that Liam’s clean-cut persona hid a dark side. Many teachers like Liam but pick up on this performative aspect of his personality: “He was […] [a]lmost too charming, if you know what I mean. Like he was putting on an act. […] Usually with kids that age, what you see is what you get” (129). The fervor against Liam after his arrest is quick and brutal, implying that his “act” did not convince many people. However, by focusing on Liam’s behavior, the author hides the fact that Jason is responsible for Olivia’s kidnapping.
McFadden reserves the biggest mask in the novel for Jason. Much like Liam, Jason appears harmless on the surface. When he loses weight, he discovers women trust him even more because he’s attractive, which allows him to harm more women, including Olivia. Jason often uses his trustworthy appearance to alter reality. He frames Liam for several crimes, such as his English teacher’s carbon monoxide leak, creating the appearance that Liam is violent and dangerous while allowing Jason to continue killing without interference. In contrast, Liam thinly disguises his dark tendencies. Along with his appearing to be Olivia’s kidnapper and his diagnosis with an antisocial personality disorder, this gives him the appearance of a violent, manipulative person without the capacity for love. However, ultimately, Liam proves that he is not only innocent of Olivia’s kidnapping and other crimes but also loves his family. Erika’s focus on Liam’s resemblance to her father disguises Liam’s similarities to his father. Erika notes that Liam does not resemble his father, suggesting that the two are different in other ways. However, in this case the literal differences in their appearances hide the reality of their deep similarities.
Jason and Liam are not the only characters who reveal reality to be different from appearances. Erika’s mother shocks her daughter with the revelation that her father is not dead but has been in prison for murder. Erika’s father, Melvin, appears to be a kind and caring father, allowing her to feel comfortable with him despite his violent and manipulative behavior. Jessica, who appears to be a dedicated and loving mother, urges Erika to abandon Liam after his arrest, suggesting that Jessica is not as good a mother as she appears. The motif of Erika’s Toyota 4Runner also highlights the difference between appearance and reality, as Jason uses the stereotypical “mom car” to kidnap Olivia and frame Liam, putting a dark twist on the family vehicle. Throughout the novel, McFadden sprinkles mismatches between appearance and reality, implying that nobody in life is completely what they seem.
The Safety and Expectations of Families
On the outside, the Casses look like the stereotypical, “ideal” nuclear family: Jason is a successful business owner and goofy dad; Erika is a diligent and supportive stay-at-home mother; Liam is an attractive overachiever; and Hannah is a moody and emotional teenager. However, these roles are often detrimental to the Casses and prevent them from seeing the reality of their situation.
McFadden’s presentation of Erika and Jason’s attitudes toward their children suggests a cynical view of parenthood. Erika, in particular, identifies with her role as a dutiful mother and wife. She gives up a fulfilling career in journalism to become a stay-at-home mom after Jason encourages her to stop working in New York to raise their children, hoping to strip Erika of her agency and sense of self outside the home. This suggests that Erika did not choose her role in the family, undermining it. Erika considers herself a protector, going to great lengths to prevent the greater public from discovering Liam’s nature, but this protection of Liam puts other girls in danger, both because it keeps him free to do violence and because it distracts from Jason’s violent acts. Erika’s attempts to be an easygoing wife also exacerbate the situation. When she suspects Jason is having an affair, for example, she keeps it to herself. Later, when she realizes Jason’s true identity, she thinks, “There was that time I worried he was having an affair, but maybe it was something much worse than that. What if I was smelling the perfume of a dead woman” (339). This incident implies that her commitment to being a good wife allows Jason to continue killing. Ultimately, her bond with her child is stronger than her bond with her husband. Jason begs Erika to not let Liam kill her, but she gives Liam the knife, choosing the role of a parent over that of a spouse. In contrast, Jason’s example of parenthood leaves no suggestion of real love or protection. His being a serial killer completely undermines his role as a loving husband and goofy dad. He reveals that he has long considered his family a mistake, and admits to hating them and sabotaging his son. He looks forward to playing his next role: a grieving widower. Erika’s parents represent yet another view of parenthood, with each parent going to arguably unforgivable lengths to protect their daughter, ultimately doing her more harm than good.
However, Hannah and Liam’s sibling bond is close, subverting both the stereotype of teenage siblings who fight nonstop and the cynical view of families presented elsewhere in the novel. Liam and Hannah have always shared a close bond and are extremely protective of each other. When Erika goes to the school after Liam’s fight, for example, Hannah is already waiting, ready to defend her brother’s behavior. Jason admits that this is one way that Liam is different than him: “I was never close to anyone that way. Even Erika” (331). Ultimately, the siblings’ bond saves Olivia and defeats Jason, as Liam’s discovery that Hannah went to the cabin alone motivates him to stand up to his father.
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