43 pages • 1 hour read
The Rosie Effect
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Themes
Perceptions About Neurodiversity
Though The Rosie Effect doesn’t explicitly diagnose its protagonist as neurodivergent, Don describes himself as having different “wiring”—a possible metaphor for neurodivergence. He prefers routine to a methodical degree, a trait often exhibited by those with Level 1 Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). He is often assumed to be on the autism spectrum by other characters, and Graeme Simsion uses these assumptions to explore common misconceptions about autism. One misconception is the equation of Don’s self-regulation of emotions to a lack of emotions. When he oversees Sonia’s labor but doesn’t accompany her to the hospital, social worker Lydia accuses him of lacking feelings. Incidents like this highlight how emotional and logical people handle problem-solving—specifically emergencies—differently. This episode encapsulates a larger discussion throughout the book about problem-solving abilities and which “type” of person, an emotional person or a logical person, one would want in charge during a disaster situation, like an airplane crash. On more than one occasion, a character hints that they would prefer an autistic person to be piloting the plane during a crash, under the assumption they would be more likely to respond with appropriate action rather than panic.
Lydia’s assessment of Don’s lack of emotion is inaccurate and informed by the stereotypes surrounding people with ASD. Don shows on several occasions that he experiences strong emotions, such as his feelings of overwhelm in the elevator and then on the plane. His tears at It’s a Wonderful Life likewise signal his capacity for feeling deeply. However, Don interacts with neurotypical individuals like Rosie and Lydia on a regular basis, people who equate spontaneous emotions to warmth and logic to coldness. To him, the ability to compartmentalize emotions leads to less conflict, rather than it being a matter of authenticity (or lack thereof): A “society of Don Tillmans would be efficient, safe, and pleasant for all of us” (42).
Simsion challenges another misconception about autism through references to Raymond Babbitt of Rain Man (1988), a film character who perpetuates the image of a neurodivergent savant. In the film, the titular Rain Man is diagnosed with autism and unusually proficient at mathematics. When Don successfully memorizes cocktails at a bar, he is treated as a savant by patrons. This assumption is objectifying: While Don may exhibit traits often found in those on the spectrum, like avoidance of eye contact and difficulty reading body language, he is no less empathetic. For example, upon meeting George’s son the Prince, he recognizes his distress and offers support. Don’s friends care for him, but often default to coaching him on neurotypical behavior. Comments like “We do need people like you” reinforce neurotypical as the norm (251). While Don masks to help his loved ones, they rarely accommodate him.
Parent-Child Relationships
In a novel about preparing for parenthood, the complexity of parent-child relationships is examined with comedy and poignancy. Don’s relationship with his family in Melbourne, Australia, informs his idea of parenthood: He submits information in weekly calls with his mother—recognizing her desire to hear about his life—and engages with his father to complete desired tasks—like obtaining a soundproof crib. He regards his parents’ role as having been fulfilled once he became a self-sufficient adult. In theory, Don regards parenting as biological, evolutionary behavior. In practice, he understands emotional bonds develop between parents and their children: For example, he understands Carl’s hostility toward his father Gene as hurt over his infidelity and absence. While Don’s observation of children at play—an attempt at self-education—is framed as comedic, he successfully draws on his childhood to advise Gene’s bullied daughter Eugenie and enjoys playing with a study baby. When completing concrete tasks, he is proficient: For example, he observes a cow birth and tracks Bud’s development on his bathroom-office wall to prepare for fatherhood.
Dave shares Don’s anxiety over fatherhood, reinforcing that the latter isn’t inherently lacking due to his neurodivergence. Dave, who presents neurotypically, is focused on preparing financially for the child by taking on more work. Dave worries that his lack of excitement over the idea of a fetus is due to a lack of genetic link through DNA, as his and Sonia’s baby was conceived through IVF, and he is concerned that this will make him unable to bond with the infant. George is a detached father, who was with a groupie when his first son, the Prince, was born. George’s attempt at parenting was more detrimental than neglect, as he pushed the Prince to experiment with drugs—leading to the Prince’s drug addiction. George illustrates the damage that parents can inflict on their children.
However, Rosie’s relationship with her father Phil suggests bonding can happen even if a parent is flawed. Rosie considers Phil a bad father, but he shows parental care by sending Don Rosie’s mother’s ring and making a surprise visit; it is also revealed he made the difficult decision to save Rosie over his wife in a fatal car accident. Overall, the novel’s lack of parent-child relationships that would be considered socially “ideal” suggests that, in reality, parenting relationships are complex and varied. Side plots like the Lesbian Mothers Project demonstrate that parenting can take many forms, and that each parent-child relationship is unique.
Evolutionary Biology and Human Behavior
The novel derives comedy from conversations about evolutionary biology and human behavior, poking fun at sexist stereotypes about courtship and parenting. Like the novel does with neurodivergence, it challenges common misconceptions about the human experience—and in doing so, celebrates diversity. Don’s perspective is rooted in genetics, which provides commentary on conventional parenting. For example, he wonders why his mother wants to know what color socks to buy for his baby, as the question is arbitrarily gendered. Likewise, he wonders if morning sickness is designed to prevent gestating mothers from ingesting harmful substances. Don’s logical approach emphasizes other characters’ emotional behavior, creating humor through contrast.
Don doubts some of Gene’s evolutionary theories but accepts others. For example, Don doubts Gene’s suggestion that he used infidelity to make himself more desirable to his wife Claudia, as she would feel the need to compete for him. While Don loves Rosie, he is later convinced that she is right to reject him: “According to [Gene’s] theory, women seek the best genes from the biological father but make a separate decision as to who they want to care for the child” (258). Yet, Gene encourages Don to reconcile with Rosie because modern humans tend to be monogamous. Overall, his theories are conflicting at best and misguided at worst. Likewise, Dave wonders if his lack of attachment to his baby is because they are genetically unrelated. In the end, his concerns are not different from Don’s: Both are concerned about providing an optimal environment for their children, with genetics playing little role in the matter. Through this shared concern, Simsion suggests that while science can offer possible explanations for human behavior, it may not paint a full picture. In any event, Don proves dedicated and invested in the care of his child, but also in his relationship with Rosie: The novel ends with him suggesting they take tango lessons to keep their marriage interesting. Like assumptions about neurodivergence, relationships, and the like, the novel shows generalizations are easily disproven by human complexity.
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