Margo's Got Money Troubles

“It’s true that writing in third person helps me. It is so much easier to have sympathy for the Margo who existed back then rather than try to explain how and why I did all the things that I did.”

The narrative perspective in the book switches between first and third person; in both instances, however, Margo is the narrator. Here, Margo the narrator explains the reason for the switch, indicating a delineation between the character in the story and the person narrating it. Rufi Thorpe plays around with narrative voice to introduce different perspectives in the story and portray the events with objectivity and self-awareness.

“It was confusing that he kept trying to frame the decision in terms of what I wanted. To me, want and should were two very separate things. In fact, wanting something was usually a sign that you did not deserve it and would not be getting it […]. More than anything, what I wanted was to make the right decision, and yet no one was willing to engage with me on those terms.”

Margo reflects on how she felt about Mark’s suggestion that she get an abortion. Margo’s internal conversation shows that while she doesn’t engage with ideas of morality such as “good” or “bad,” she is nevertheless concerned with responsibility and fairness and a desire to do the “right” thing. This helps develop Margo’s character, painting her as an ethical person from the very start, which will end up contrasting with society’s views of her as a woman who makes “immoral” choices.

“‘I’m so sorry, Mom,’ Margo said, and she meant it. Before she’d had Bodhi, she’d known her mother loved her, but she hadn’t understood how expensive that love was, how much a mother paid for it.”

Margo learns about how Shyanne, a single mother herself, had no support when raising Margo as a newborn, and this gives Margo a newfound appreciation for her mother’s efforts. Margo’s ability to understand and empathize with those around her, even those with whom she doesn’t always have positive relationships, is one of her defining character traits.