Formerly Shark Girl Theme

"For so long I've been stuck, confused.
I've been waiting for a sign.
I was 'spared' for a reason, some say.
I have a 'purpose,' some say.

I've been waiting, I guess,
for that reason
and that purpose
to be made clear to me.
I've been drifting. Floating.

Now I see that I have a paddle.
Myself. I'm my own paddle.
I don't have to drift.

Defining who I am
and what I want
and how I'll get there?
It will involve parting
from the current.

It will mean choosing a direction

and beginning
to

paddle."

(Bingham, 215)

Formerly Shark Girl has many important themes. Each theme is greatly supported by the text, through Jane's thoughts and actions. One of the most important themes is only you can truly define yourself. This is supported throughout the book, as well as by the quote above. This theme is crucial to the main character, Jane, because she was attacked by a shark right before the start of junior year. People were always staring at her and whispering about her. Letting you know, yes, she lost her right arm. Was it easy to go back to regular life? Not at all. On top of the struggles of everyday life, and being talked about, numerous stories about the attack and her life began to appear in the news and the paper. This gave her the nickname Sharkgirl. Yes, Sharkgirl. First off, I think that is completely rude, considering she is probably scarred for life due to the attack. But, the name calling still happened. Even in her senior year, Jane is still followed by the press and the dreadful nickname, and worst of all, it began to define her.

She was being defined by everybody else based on name calling, the press, and letters written to her from people all throughout the country. Letters began to arrive at Jane's house saying that she was meant to do something or that she was saved for a reason or how she was such an inspiration and role model. Over time, Jane would just throw all of the letters away, not even looking to see who the letter was from or the purpose of the sender for writing the letter to begin with. Jane was asked to do an interview for a newspaper and refused because she didn't like all the questions. Somehow, the paper figured out that Jane was regularly helping at a local hospital. Immediately, letters came flowing in, explaining how Jane would be a wonderful nurse and have a fantastic future.

Jane must learn to overcome everybody else's expectations and be truly herself. Peer pressure of others has put a weight on her shoulders that she must carry around each day combined with stress of high school and life. She must let herself define who she is and who she wants to be. She has to pick up the paddle and choose a direction.

This is only part of Jane's struggle. And that's just the beginning.