The Way I Used to Be

Compare Eden from her freshman year to her senior year of high school. Eden undergoes a major transformation during that time, but what stays the same? Discuss the similarities and differences in Eden’s personality and behavior, putting them in terms of the major themes of the novel. 

The novel is divided into four parts, with each part covering one single year of Eden’s high school career. Examine each of these four parts—what was the most transformative event for Eden in each part? Mirroring the novel’s structure, find the four major events that define Eden’s transformation.

Amanda, Kevin’s brother, is a minor, but pivotal character in The Way I Used to Be. What is the purpose of Amanda’s character? How does she influence Eden’s metamorphosis?