The Lost Crown question

The Lost Crown gives a nostalgic yet depressing account of the Russian Revolution from the eyes of four sisters - Anastasia, Olga, Maria and Tatiana Nikolaevna. The relationship between the sisters and their younger brother is a very dynamic one, each sibling has a role to play in keeping the routine going around the household. I see them doing this as a way to keep their spirits up, when times got bad, it was almost as if they coped with the stress by playing these "parts". What do you think? I'm open to suggestions.