“The Fifth Child” In “The Fifth Child,” Lessing contrasts society’s idea of an “ideal” family to the “real” dysfunctional family in our everyday lives. Harriet and David’s dream was to have the “ideal” family. They made the mistake of setting standards too high for themselves and putting a front of an ideal family, which was just a cover for the real dysfunctional one. People in society tend to believe that the ideal family …showed first 75 words of 399 total…

…showed last 75 words of 399 total…stomach.” Harriet wants more than what she can handle. She does not realize that what she wishes for cannot come true. Harriet and David cannot fulfill their fantasies; their idea of an ideal family cannot be created. Families aren’t meant to be ideal; they are dysfunctional. All families have problems. This is what life is all about. Life isn’t always what you want but what you put into it. Bibliography fifth child novel