Maturity

The author uses the theme of maturity to show Gertie’s evolution from immature girl who resorts to stunts for attention to one who has a better understanding of the world around her.

When Gertie is introduced she is resuscitating a bull frog because she wants to have a flashy show-and-tell when she returns to school. It is not enough that she has a bullfrog; instead she wants to be able to say she brought the bullfrog back to life – a zombie frog. As Gertie listens to the other students talk about their summers, she worries about the competition even though it is not an actual competition.

Mary Sue is problematic for Gertie because she takes attention away from her. Gertie does not understand why Mary Sue should take something to the principal’s office instead of her or why the other students gravitate toward Mary...