“There is no magic cure, no making it all go away forever. There are only small steps upward; an easier day, an unexpected laugh, a mirror that doesn't matter anymore.”- Lia Overbrook, Wintergirls
Wintergirls
By Laurie Halse Anderson Review by Siarra Binion I’ve never been exposed to eating disorders, but novelist Laurie Anderson makes readers feel as though they are experiencing the mental battle themselves. Anderson uses metaphors and other kinds of figurative language to express the gruesome monster within oneself when having an eating disorder. The story of how a teenage girl, Lia, struggles to keep up with her unhealthy image after finding out her best friend has died and she was the last person she called. The guilt and curiosity leading Lia to become isolated and preposterous. How an innocent bet turned into tragic death. The story first captures the readers thoughts by explaining Cassie’s death. No one knows how or why Cassie died. But, Lia knows that Cassie called her 33 times before her death. Lia didn’t answer. Lia and Cassie were beyond bestfriends, they were wintergirls, Cassie being the clean-cut classic suburbian girl, and Lia being her sidekick that doesn’t shine as bright as the almighty Cassie. A hurtful argument turned these once sisters into strangers. Cassie moved on and left her sidekick in the dust, not knowing that Lia would be her last saving grace. The only good that came out of her unfortunate lifestyle. Elijah, the character I could relate to the most and the last person to have spoken to Cassie first captures the readers mind when he asks Lia is she is Lia. Elijah, a strangler, has lived by being a very good liar and interesting person. He makes people curious, his personality being inviting and witty. He is the last person to have seen, and is even a suspect in Cassie’s horrific death. Elijah is Lia’s only consultant that doesn’t know about her eating disorder. Although she shows many signs, like Lia not eating the pizza she ordered them, only taking small bites of the crust. Lia keeps up this facade with Elijah, not wanting to know the message Cassie left with Elijah. But, that soon comes to an end when Lia is forced to reveal her true identity when she faces her mother at Cassie’s funeral. Emma, Lia’s stepsister is the only person that keeps Lia happy, while Lia is being haunted by Cassie, she finds comfort and solace in her little sister. While finding discomfort and uneasiness in her mother, who Lia has fooled many times into thinking she is getting better, doesn’t believe any of Lia’s well rehearsed lines, hindering Lia’s character development, and making her become more isolated from reality. Lia faces many obstacles that teenage girls go through today, many people can relate to her. Those in Lia’s life fail to give her the freedom she needs to grow, abling her to always be Cassie’s sidekick, even after death. Lia is portrayed as a follower, and as someone who often runs away from their problems; a coward. Lia is a push over, she lets Cassie force her into a bet, competing against one another to see who becomes skinny faster. Lia runs away from her guilt, from her conscience as it’s eating her alive. Lia brings up many circumstances in which she is viewed as the trouble maker and Cassie gets off easy. Because she’s Cassie. Lia was always viewed as tainted compared to Cassie. Lia was imperfect. Lia had struggled with anorexia and self harm. Lia needed help. Lia was tainted. But so was Cassie. When finding out the news of her bestfriends death, Lia was then haunted by Cassie’s ghost. A demon-like figure who cursed Lia the second it came into her life. Due to all the disadvantages in her life, Lia was driven to commit suicide and join Cassie for one last hoorah. Lia failed to do so. Although, she succeed in ruining relationships with those she loved most; Emma and Elijah. The readers are reminded that running away from problems only makes them catch up to us faster. Wintergirls is ultimately about the struggle many teenage girls go through, the book discusses peer pressure, guilt, isolation, lack of freedom and growth. Things anyone can relate to, Anderson tells this metaphorical story by connecting all the things that can lead to eating disorders. This book sends a message, it gives us the blueprint to this deadly disorder. We have to end this by catching the symptoms early, before it’s too late. During this portion of Wintergirls, Lia finds her ultimate escape, which leads to her ultimate demise; she finally confronts her internal battles and gets the help that she needs. This portion captures Lia at her highest and lowest points in her life. In Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson, the writer hopes to the steps in getting help with mental health and coping with guilt. For example, after Lia fails to commit suicide she agrees to go through the steps truthfully-to ensure a full recovery after scaring her little sister, Emma -the one who found her unconscious and bloody-. Before going to her therapist appointment she’s met yet again by Cassie’s presence while playing a puzzle Lia asks, “ ‘Why won’t you leave me alone?’ ‘I miss you’ [Cassie] … ‘You don’t deserve to live’ She says it like she’s telling me which pair of jeans fits better. ‘Use a bigger knife next time. Cut deeper. Get it over with.’I don’t think I want to die’” (243). Lia is confronting Cassie for the first time in her life, she’s no longer Cassie’s side kick, but paints Cassie as her biggest enemy. Anderson suggest that going through something traumatic and hurting not only oneself but those around us, will trigger one to become brave. Later in the novel, Lia tries to escape from reality once again, after trying to flee with Elijah, but he took her possessions and left her, saying she deserved more and had a purpose. Lia had previously taken many pills and had been really dehydrated, she walked among the halls of the motel that last swallowed Cassie’s footsteps, “ ‘I want to go home’ ‘ You don’t have a choice. This is your fate. It’s time’.. ‘You lied! I say. ‘I do have a choice’...”I’m sorry’ I say. ‘Sorry I didn’t answer’ Her eyes glitter like stars. ‘I’m sorry I didn’t call sooner’ (269-273). Lia is having her final talk with Cassie, this is the first time Lia has confessed her feelings out loud, about not answering Cassie’s phone calls. Anderson portrays that once one can talk about their grief, the monsters stop appearing. Furthermore, after Lia’s final confrontation with her worst nightmare -Cassie- she starts to begin the process of getting better, “ I don’t lie to the nurses this time. I don't argue with them or throw anything or scream… at least they don't think i’m crazy because I see ghost” (276). Previously, Liar never believes in the doctor's methods and techniques, so for her to be willing to do the exercises provided for her shows character growth, throughout the entire story Lia has been running away from her mental health, feeding herself excuses; she’s finally doing something positive for herself and her family. Anderson proves that through character growth, the lack of family and supporters will enable that process. In addition, later in the novel Lia writes, “There is no magic cure, no making it all go away forever. There are only small steps upward; an easier day, an unexpected laugh, a mirror that doesn't matter anymore. I’m thawing” (278). Throughout the novel, Lia has been really stubborn and one-minded for her to admit that her methods were wrong, proving every adult to be correct in her life she is growing and dealing with her eating disorder instead of running away from that deadly disorder. Anderson ensure readers that throughout growth, we will abjure different obstacles that will change our lives for what my seem like the worst, but it’s ultimately for the best. The text spoke to me in different ways; i’ve learned how to deal with people who have mental disorders; and also people who aren’t ready to cope with guilt and those who are put under a lot of pressure. This book is not just for people with eating disorders, it’s for every teenager who feels as though they are alone in the world. Wintergirls III
During this portion of Wintergirls, Lia struggles to keep up with her not so big appetite since living with her mother, she finally figures out how Cassie died while trying to get a grasp on her life with no more outlets. In wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson, the writer hopes to bring awareness to how not confronting ones problems head on forces them to become mentally and physically isolated and how that will affect them growing. For example, Lia makes her mom breakfast, muffins and omelets, while serving her mother she suggests Lia makes one for herself and Lia lies and says she ate cereal earlier that morning. While her mom is trying to convince her to eat, she takes a call and Lia slowly drifts away, “‘I said, Lia look at me!” Mom shouts, shaking my shoulder. I blink. The dishes are done, but my hands are still in the sink. The bubbles are gone… ‘I bet your blood sugar is in the toilet’... I lost ten minutes, maybe fifteen” (153-54). Lia has faced the consequences of her actions, proving her mother to be right in the ongoing fight that Lia is not getting the proper help she needs. Lia not confronting her problems while talking to her mom forced her to become secluded from her life. Later in the novel when Lia’s mom makes a deal with her saying that if Lia eats all her breakfast she will tell her how Cassie died. Moments after the unveiling of how her childhood best friend lost her life all the while eating more than she ever has in the last several weeks, Lia lyes in a blanket and vanishes within her thoughts “My mouse tummy whispers because she forced almost a thousand calories into me. I’ll have to stay strong until dinner tomorrow to balance everything. I drift away” (162). Lia is not facing her problems, she is forcing herself to be okay with all of this, she has lost her will to fight. Not managing one's problem makes them feel as though their problem is not of importance and can be brushed off. Furthermore, Lia is always running away from her problems enabling her to grow from them. Lia is always being okay with the problems in her life, she never speaks up or against anything she is willing to pursue. When she is reminiscing on all the bad things Cassie and her went through she states, “flash first day of ninth grade, bad haircuts flash tenth grade prom pictures with seniors we couldn't stand flash last year, cast party, Cassie, drunker than they knew, me watching from a corner” (179). Lia has spent her whole life being Cassie’s side kick, never having independence and never experiencing things on her own, causing her to not grow and become an outspoken person. Not living up to one's true potential enables the mental growth one can endure. Later in the novel, Lia enters a department store getting medicine for her little sister and stumbles upon seeing Cassie while in an intense conversation Lia says she needs help and Cassie finishes,” I tried.‘ The flames in her eyes burn my cheeks, ‘You didn't answer’.”(196). Lia is being in denial when it comes to Cassie’s death, and has just now come to the conclusion that she was Cassie’s one way out, just like Cassie was to her at one point. Being in denial causes one to not realise the hard truth in life. To conclude, I’ve learned that dealing with suffering and mental health are things that should be addressed within the community as well as the households. Wintergirls Discussion II
The community is getting ready to bury there beloved Cassie. While Lia is awaiting burying her demons that float through her head while Cassie is still above ground. Upon wanting to see her evil spirits vanish with the one who possess them. Lia has to go through obstacles, like her mother and father not thinking it’s best for her to go to the funeral in her current state of mind. In Wintergirls, by Laurie Halse Anderson, the writer hopes to uncover the background and thought process of someone who is suffering while lacking humanity in a time where it seems as though no one is there for them. Laurie suggests that although not speaking of ones troubles may seem uncomplicated at first, the long lasting effect is more painful than the initial one. For example, when arguing with her parents about her mental health, and what is and isn’t working, Laurie writing, “Lia, bleeding where they can’t see”(73) -her mother faces her father- “She’s slipping back into denial David. Why are you letting this happen? You’re not supporting her recovery”(73). In this example, Laurie acknowledges how because of Lia’s consistent tranquility, her parents have been left to come up with their own presumptions of how her recovery is. Leaving Lia to sulk and suffer in her constant thoughts of in denial and lack of independence. Causing Lia to suffer mentally and physically. In addition later, when Lia is escaping to go to Cassie’s forbidden wake, she is stumbling upon her bestfriends scents reminiscing how she was supposed to be her savior, her light when she was blinded by darkness, but she failed. While walking down an alley, after have parked her car two blocks away, Lia starts to perceive her best friend, “Gray faces crowd the red leaves. The ghost I want to taste me… As I pass under a streetlight, the bulb pops and I smell burnt sugar. Her. Her. I run the rest of the way to wake, one step ahead of the iron hooks she’s casting”(84). In this example, Anderson acknowledges how Liya has been suffering ever since finding out she was Cassie’s last saving grace. Lia’s is suffering in the presence of her best friend, she is seeing the darkness she thinks she is. Lia is not only suffering mentally, but physically. Laurie suggests that within losing our touch with reality, we lose our humanity. For example, when Lia see’s Cassie for the first time in her casket, upon pounds of makeup to resume her “picture perfect” life, returning her token, she imagines, “ Cassie’s fingers curl around it. My heart stutters, SHe squeezes the green disk tightly, the she blinks..Cassie sits up slowly… holds the magic glass… She frowns and opens her mouth-” (87-88). In this example, Laurie acknowledges how Lia’s ghost have risen and have taken control of her once well-kept situations. Her families neglected lifestyle mixed with the guilt and sorrow has caused Lia to lose her grip on humanity. In addition, after she finishes her all too realistic nightmare, “I blink. She disappears from the coffin. The soccer ball rolls backwards. Her feet aren’t there to prop it up.” (88). In this example, Laurie has now set Lia back into the present, it is as though she has woken up from a dream she was never asleep for. Laurie uses this strong dialogue to exclaim just how lost Lia is, and how untouched she is from reality. The guilt, suffering and lack of humanity has taken an unexpected turn on Lia’s life. The text agrees with my world. I feel as though problems not talked about, are unloveable. Witch is what is happening in Lia’s life, she is trapped between life and suffering, the realness of demons and the persuasion of this inanimate life, she been forced to live. Lia is discovering that not all nightmares can be cured by waking up. Lia and Cassie, were both wintergirls seeking perfection in a deadly game ultimately ending Cassie's life. When Lia discovers she was Cassie’s way out, her last life line, she is forced to go through life with the repercussions of her actions. In Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson, the writer hopes to bring awareness to anorexia and bulimia within the community that’s often not handled correctly, or thought of to be not as important, although it has fatal consequences.
Laurie Anderson suggests that mental health isn’t something that can be cured through a series of treatments, medicines, and doctors, but something that can only be cured through one's own mind. For example, in the beginning of the novel, after dropping her step sister off at practice, Lia reminisces, “The first time they admitted me, I was black and blue and purple and red...This body weighed 93.00 pounds… [while staying] I was a good girl because I didn’t poke holes in my skin or write depressing poetry and I ate and ate bit, chewed, swallowed day after day and lied, lied lied.” (27-28). In this example, Laurie acknowledges how Lia has faked being healthy in order to leave her mental health home. Her actions, although they didn’t have an initial effect, led Lia to become mentally unstable, and kept her from realizing her faults and how unhealthy she was living, Lia has yet to fathom that the only thing standing between her and a healthy mindset, is herself. In addition later, when Lia had just came from the local movie theatres for dinner, “I take a whole wheat roll (96) out of the basket and two buttery brussel sprouts (35) even though I hate them...Just because I dish it out, doesn’t mean I have to swallow it. I am strong enough to do this” (64). In this example, Laurie addresses Lia’s constant mental barrier between her and her will to live, her doctors and family wants her to get better, but there words will always lack power when Lia’s mind is in control. Lia believes she is strong because she is not eating, but that’s the only thing stopping her from finally being healthy. Laurie Halse Anderson suggests that guilt and self-hate can influence a non sane person to see things, and experience things, “normal people” may not have awareness of. Cassie called Lia 33 times before her death, and ever since then Lia has been feeling the guilt eat away at her sanity. After watching a movie with her little sister Lia starts to feel an inanimate person in her room watching her, suffocating her and she thinks, “she called me thirty-three times. A ghost wraps herself around me, strokes my hair, and puts me to sleep”(18). In this example, Laurie addresses the guilt, shame, and fear that surrounding Lia as she finds out she was Cassie’s last call of distress. Her last breaths were wasted on Lia, who was too caught up in her own pride to answer the phone. The guilt slowly takes over her mind and persuades her to see Cassie, as she sees herself, a demon. In addition, later Lia brings her little sister to the movie theatre as she sits in the back, and slowly cuts herself “I inscribe three lines, hush hush hush, into my skin. Ghost trickle out… I taste like dirty quarters”(61-62). Lia’s shame has now taken control over her, she has committed the one thing her father pleaded with her not to do, to get a sense of realness, to see what was real and what wasn’t , she’s lost her sense of reality through the gruesome process of the death of her ex-best friend, Cassie. To conclude, Laurie has used this book to point out the underlying ways of mental health, and self-hate and guilt within the teenage community. Laurie gives insight to what goes on in the minds of those who are suffering mentally. |