Abstract
This essay illustrates how literary depictions of-and society's views about-abusive relationships have changed since the 1980's. This change becomes clear by, among other things, how Oates leaves the ending of Solstice ambiguous and, to some critics, frustratingly indeterminate, but concludes Freaky Green Eyes by resolving many of the book's dilemmas. Their dissimilar endings help to signal a paradigm shift in the way views about domestic violence have changed over the almost 20 years between their publication dates.