The Naumann family was a very postmodern family. Unfortunately, instead of reaping any of the benefits that can come from postmodernism, the Naumann family achieved mostly the negative aspects. The result that this had on the members of the family was psychologically devastating, and tore the family apart. .
The entire Naumann family practiced a postmodern way of living called Autonomy. Autonomy is when " each family member is empowered to place his or her need for self-realization and self-fulfillment before the needs of the family as unit". (Elkind, 1994, p 63) This use of Autonomy is evident in every person of the Naumann's. For the majority of the time, Miriam ignores both her husband and her children. She puts a blanet of secrecy over what she does outside of the house and claims that she would prefer to not talk about work. The family accepts this lie without question or suspicion. Not realizing that in reality she spends each day looking for objects to steal from stores, and homes to put into her "Kaleidoscope". Miriam was not working at all and used her inheritance to cover the families" expenses. Her family only sees Miriam's lies when she gets caught in her thievery (Elkind 1994). .
Saul spends the majority of his time working in his study at home. He seems to be able to give his attention to only one of his children; the child that he chooses to take under his wing is the one that he feels he can most relate to, and can. He switches from Aaron to Eliza once he sees Eliza's spelling abilities. His new interest in her is not just based on her ability to win at spelling competitions; he secretly feels that she might be able to talk to god through Jewish Mysticism. This ability is something he had always dreamed about, but could never succeed at. In this way Saul may have not only used Autonomy to switch from Aaron to Eliza in who is now favored, but he is also trying to live through Eliza's abilities (Elkind 1994).
