Falling into Reality Emily knew the right thing to do was to help Belinda, but she froze. Doing the right thing is not always the easiest thing to do. In A Step Towards Falling by Cammie McGovern, McGovern uses the perspective and character development of Emily and Belinda to teach readers that it is okay to be different from everyone else and that each situation does not have a right or wrong answer. McGovern uses two different character perspectives to demonstrate to the reader that not every situation has a right answer; not everything is always black or white; there is room for grey. Emily and Belinda both narrate the book, thus providing both their perspectives. The plot of the book is based off of a series of events that take place
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However, due to the loud cheering, the teacher does not hear her. Emily then sees Lucas, a big strong football player, come out from under the bleachers, and assumes he had handled the situation though he had not. As the two characters get to know each other the pieces of the plot come together. One day during rehearsal Belinda confronts Emily and Lucas and asks them why they did not help her the night of the football game (328). Belinda states something that the reader is probably already thinking. This statement shows the reader that Belinda understands that Lucas and Emily did not help her, but are trying to help her now. She understands they are putting on a play just for her because they feel bad about not helping. This demonstrates to the reader that Belinda fully comprehends what happened that night. Emily who is submerged in guilt from that night replies by saying that they both were being selfish (328). Emily tries to explain to Belinda why they did not help. This is that grey area in the supposed black and white world. When Emily talks about being selfish, this is applicable …show more content…
McGovern also uses both perspectives to express how Belinda develops. At the beginning of the book Belinda lived in her own world. A world based off how people acted, dressed, and lived in the film Pride and Prejudice: “Watching Pride and Prejudice has taught me those things” (78). Belinda only had contact with her Mom, her Nan, and classmates on a regular basis. Her idea of fun was watching Pride and Prejudice. She had learned how girls should act, how boys should act, and what ‘reality’ is based off the movie Pride and Prejudice. Much to Belinda’s dismay the world is not like the movie; girls are not always the nicest and boys are not going to act polite all the time. Belinda learns this on a horrible night for her, the night of the football game. As she goes to give Ron the presents she made him, Ron curses at her and pushes her away and the rest of the team tramples her. The only person who helps her only does to assault her. This was not the harsh reality check Belinda wanted, but it opened her eyes to see the real world. While society strives to help people with disabilities live a happy life; there is not much society does to protect the people with disabilities from the harsh world. Towards the end of the book, she learns what life really is. Belinda is able to learn that not everything is as it seems, and that one cannot trust everyone. She also learns
However, due to the loud cheering, the teacher does not hear her. Emily then sees Lucas, a big strong football player, come out from under the bleachers, and assumes he had handled the situation though he had not. As the two characters get to know each other the pieces of the plot come together. One day during rehearsal Belinda confronts Emily and Lucas and asks them why they did not help her the night of the football game (328). Belinda states something that the reader is probably already thinking. This statement shows the reader that Belinda understands that Lucas and Emily did not help her, but are trying to help her now. She understands they are putting on a play just for her because they feel bad about not helping. This demonstrates to the reader that Belinda fully comprehends what happened that night. Emily who is submerged in guilt from that night replies by saying that they both were being selfish (328). Emily tries to explain to Belinda why they did not help. This is that grey area in the supposed black and white world. When Emily talks about being selfish, this is applicable …show more content…
McGovern also uses both perspectives to express how Belinda develops. At the beginning of the book Belinda lived in her own world. A world based off how people acted, dressed, and lived in the film Pride and Prejudice: “Watching Pride and Prejudice has taught me those things” (78). Belinda only had contact with her Mom, her Nan, and classmates on a regular basis. Her idea of fun was watching Pride and Prejudice. She had learned how girls should act, how boys should act, and what ‘reality’ is based off the movie Pride and Prejudice. Much to Belinda’s dismay the world is not like the movie; girls are not always the nicest and boys are not going to act polite all the time. Belinda learns this on a horrible night for her, the night of the football game. As she goes to give Ron the presents she made him, Ron curses at her and pushes her away and the rest of the team tramples her. The only person who helps her only does to assault her. This was not the harsh reality check Belinda wanted, but it opened her eyes to see the real world. While society strives to help people with disabilities live a happy life; there is not much society does to protect the people with disabilities from the harsh world. Towards the end of the book, she learns what life really is. Belinda is able to learn that not everything is as it seems, and that one cannot trust everyone. She also learns