The chaotic and discordant world portrayed in William Gaddis's J R is one against which not even the family can offer comfort or safe haven. In a novel composed mainly of fragmented speech, where people break promises, ethical codes, and hearts, it is hardly surprising to discover the various families in J R frequently broken or breaking-up as well. Indeed, family structure in J R appears to be fractured beyond repair, making Dan diCepahlis's crumbling house an apt metaphor for all the "houses" or families in the novel. Their construction is tenuous, and they are all either falling apart or are in danger of doing so.