The Duffer Analysis

In the story “The bass, the river, and Sheila Mant” the narrator is self-conscious because he cares what others think about him. One example from the story is “ I would have given anything not to look too

I mean, I am smart and funny, and I know I’m a good person. But this is high school, and nobody seems to care about that. Why couldn’t I be tall and elegant like Diondra, or have Judianne’s perfect complexion, all smooth, super-rich fudge? Better yet, why couldn’t I look like Tanisha, or Gloria?” (Grimes 46). This showcases inner conflict as Janelle’s character is shown insecure about her physical appearance. Even though Janelle is aware of her good qualities, she makes her physical appearance overshadow them. Janelle compares herself to others which make it hard for her to embrace herself and realize her self worth. This tells the reader how society is so attentive to the outer beauty of a person, that one isn’t giving importance to the inner qualities of themselves. On the other hand this is evident in Freedom Writers when Andre Bryant who is characterized as a tough and aggressive guy, agrees to a failing mark in Mrs. Erin Gruwell’s class. When asked why he did not try he says “It's what I feel I deserve, that's all” (LaGravenese). This made Mrs. Gruwell question this behaviour and tried to consult him by insuring that he can do it. This

She flirts with many men and young adults throughout the play, which makes the reader feel a lack of sympathy for her as the men she desired ended up becoming major contributors to her eventual downfall, in particular Stanley.

The book centers around an incident involving Allison Huguet and Beau Donaldson. One night, Allison was hanging out with a group of childhood friends when she was invited to a party at Beau Donaldson’s house. When the party was winding down, the friends decided to stay

I started to believe that the narrator has the mind of a man; perhaps she yearns for the chase. She searches for boys who are more than willing to be a quickie and she uses them for a good time. When she gets what she wants it's to late and the emotional damage has already been done. Our narrator reverts back to her female role and relies on emotions rather than logic; it is apparent that in having these quick relationships she is only hurting herself.

The appearance of the main character plays probably the most crucial role in the foundation of her personality. From the description given by the author, it is seen that she is a good-looking young girl with long blond hair. She liked spending time in front of the mirror, examining herself from head to toes. She knew that she was beautiful and this knowledge also provided her with a sense of superiority over her

In the beginning, Connie’s character is one of innocence, self-absorption, and shallowness. Oates describes Connie as a fifteen-year-old girl who has “a quick, nervous giggling habit of craning her neck to glance into mirrors and check other people’s faces to make sure her own was all right” (Oates 157). In this description, Connie’s dynamic character acts shallow and is self-absorbed. She places her values on her physical appearance and in her friends’ acceptance. Connie “knew she was pretty and that was everything” to her (158). Connie bases her self -worth on her looks and in the values of her friends’ perception of her.

Being a smart kid is an honor to most, but as a child, Mark Bowden believed otherwise. In “The Dumb Kids’ Class” he tells his unique experience in Catholic school, where he was in the dumb kids’ class and then switched into the smart class, and discovers the true differences between them.

Many times, in society young people think they have it all under control, they have it figured out even though they don’t. During these teen phases, they try to experience many things. such as drugs, drinking, and sexual exploration and become involved in various mischievous activities. It is about the coming of adulthood. It is no longer trying to be like them, but copying one. The three friends are not as "bad" as they pretend to be. Boyle gives them an opportunity to rape, but got interrupted because they wouldn’t have done it anyways they were to scared.

The author shows us that despite her attractiveness and exquisiteness, she may merely be deemed a shallow, secretive and opportunistic person.

 Her attitude changes threw out the play, she’s very confident in the beginning, she doesn’t really talk back to anyone, but as it goes on her attitude changes and she’s very upset all the time and depressed.

As the girl continues on to grow up she is continually facing challenges with her confidence and thus affecting her emotionally and physically. For instance, one of the line states that “ she went to

deception that he was trying to display for her admiration fell away leaving all his lies and immaturity exposed to her (Bell, 2005).

through his vanity is easily fooled into thinking it is he who she loves although

This leads to the next concept, self-esteem. The young girl displays positive self-esteem. William James linked self-esteem to one’s success (what one can achieve) over pretensions (what one hopes to achieve). I would presume that the young girl’s pretensions positively correlated with her success.