Pursuing this further, the affect neglect has on Jo leaves her wanting to escape her current situation. She speaks about getting a full-time job and leaving Helen to live on her own. Jo lacks stability in the care she receives from her mother and the circumstances she ends up in. The key theme of transience plays a role in this as all characters have a taste of coming and going but it is greater for Jo. “Too many different schools and too many different places.” (Delaney, 2008, p. 15). Her boyfriend is also sailor, which the audience automatically corresponds with the coming and going of life at sea, “JO: He came in with Christmas and went out with the New Year.” (Delany, 2008, p. 49). There is no escape of this never-ending cycle and Delaney’s
