Binding 13

The trauma that Shannon experiences throughout her life plays a central role in her characterization throughout the novel. The novel includes frequent descriptions of the physical marks her father’s abuse leaves on Shannon’s body, and these temporary marks serve as symbols of the lasting psychological effects of this abuse. From the first lines of the text, Shannon is introduced as a character who suffers from severe anxiety and issues with her self-image, as she stands in the mirror and criticizes her body—having internalized the verbal abuse she has received from her peers. Her past experiences have conditioned her to expect the worst in all social situations, and as a result, she finds it difficult to trust anyone. From her first interaction with Johnny, in which she assumes that she was intentionally struck by a ball and that further bullying will stem from the incident, it is clear that the bullying she has endured from her peers makes it difficult for her to socialize and form friendships. In one such interaction, when Claire gossips with the two girls in the locker room after PE class, Shannon notes how “their banter was perfectly normal. It was my reaction to the banter that I was mad about.