The conservative and religious Nettie Burgett is an active member of the Persian Pickle Club. Her daughter Velma is also a member, but is much less active and being similar in interests, attitudes, and ambitions to Rita. Tyrone is Nettie's husband and Velma's father, a domestic tyrant whose temper and selfishness define the atmosphere of fear under which Nettie lives and Velma rebels. Part of Velma's rebellion is her relationship with a married man, a relationship that results in her pregnancy. The actions of the Club, and in particular Mrs. Judd, in helping both Velma and Nettie cope with that situation are manifestations of the novel's thematic emphases on both friendship and ambiguous morality.