Relationships

One of the primary themes running through the novel is relationships. The two primary relationship types the novel tackles are friendship and romantic relationships.

Friendship is the first type of relationship that the novel tackles. It seems as if Carrie and Janie become instant friends when they are 12 years old. They have a special bond that nothing seems to be able to break. On the other hand, Carrie is also friends with the girls at school that torment Janie, such as Melinda Jeffers. Janie and Carrie have similar backgrounds and dysfunctional home lives, which is one of the things that makes the girls close.

Romantic relationships are also tackled in the novel. Janie and Cabel start out as friends when they become seniors in high school. As they get to know each other, and get to know each other's secrets, however, their relationship transforms into a romantic relationship...