Paper Towns: The Labeling Theory

In 2008, author John Green published his book Paper Towns. After reaching number five on the New York Best Times Sellers List and receiving the 2009 Edgar Award for best young adult novel, the Young Adult Book popular amongst the younger generation received it film adaptation on July 24, 2015. Both the book and film center on a group of High school Students who live Florida. The main characters in this story include Quentin Jacobson (protagonist), Margo Roth Speilgleman. From a young age, Quentin and Margo have lived right next to each other and because of that they have been very close. Though they are close together, their personalities and lifestyles are completely different. Quentin would be considered a very straightforward kid. Meaning …show more content…
As seen in the very beginnings of the book Margo as a child was labeled by her parents and from her peers as being mischievous, adventurous and troublesome. These labels that are associated with her from a young age can explain why the labeling theory has led her continuing deviant behavior or secondary form of deviance. According to the textbook Discover Sociology by William J Chambliss and Daina S. Epiglittis, the labeling theory is defined as, “a symbolic interactionist approach holding that deviance is a product of the labels people attach to certain types of behavior” (141). While secondary deviance is explained when an individual, “labeled deviant accepts the label as part of his or her identity and as a result, begins to act conformity with the label” (141). Both theories and ideas are in relation to each other. To be more specific, Margo’s actions that would be labeled as deviant from society include running away, failing/ditching school, not listening to authority, breaking/entering, and taking physical and sometimes criminal revenge on people. These actions are seen as deviant because society has labeled these behaviors in connection to deviance. This labeling theory untimely leads to the secondary form of deviance which Margo ultimately inhibits and accepts as her identity. This is seen evident especially when she enters high school. Her deviant behavior as locked her in a persona that she relates too and people associate her with. This is especially true when it comes to her other high school peers who see Margo as the perfect manic pixie dream girl. Though her deviant behavior is condemned by the police and her parents, other people would say that it is what makes her unique, mysterious, and adventurous. These