Not a Happy Family

The oldest of the Merton siblings, Catherine alone is driven to succeed professionally. She is a dermatologist, and her husband, Ted, is a dentist. Growing up, she was pampered by her parents in a way that her siblings never were: “She is the firstborn, and favorite, child; they all know it” (4). Although the Merton parents were abusive (Fred) and neglectful (Sheila), Catherine nonetheless developed an entitled view of the world due to their favor. The Pull of Greed is strongest with Catherine. She reacts badly to the announcement that her father plans to sell the family mansion, as she was certain that the house would be hers. She has a compulsive need to steal, particularly valuables and jewelry; this extends from childhood to the present, when her first impulse after finding her murdered parents is to steal her mother’s earrings off her corpse. When the siblings discover their massive inheritance will have to be shared with a surprise fourth sibling, Catherine is the one who rallies the Mertons to fight for their full fortune. From her father, Catherine inherits the need to control others—she directs her spouse and her siblings as they maneuver around the detectives investigating the homicides.