Another aspect of the family theme in the novel centers around the Whitcomb family, represented solely by Elihue, also known as Soaphead Church. This family has tried to assimilate into Euro-American culture literally. The Whitcomb ancestors took pride in their white lineage, attributing their successes to their Caucasian roots. This obsession eventually led to inbreeding, symbolizing an excessive preoccupation with social status to avoid mingling with African-American genes. Like Geraldine, the Whitcombs, in their attempt to create a hybrid, have instead created a monster. Elihue, a failed Anglican priest and social worker with suppressed homosexual tendencies, has become a potential child molester. Claudia's father beats him after he makes inappropriate advances toward Frieda. When Pecola approaches him for help in obtaining blue eyes, Whitcomb sees "an ugly little girl asking for beauty" and manipulates her longing for acceptance. He proposes a twisted deal: if Pecola unknowingly poisons a dog he despises, he promises to plead with God to give her blue eyes. Elihue gets his wish—a dead dog—while Pecola is left believing the falsehood that she now possesses blue eyes. In a letter, Elihue blames God for Pecola's vulnerability, yet he refuses to acknowledge any moral responsibility for taking advantage of Pecola and contributing to her mental breakdown.