Editor's Choice
Why is Connie's sister June in the story and how does her character highlight Connie's?
Quick answer:
June serves as a foil to highlight Connie's character in the story. While June is portrayed as plain, responsible, and reliable, Connie sees herself as different and exceptional, focusing on her attractiveness and social life. This contrast establishes Connie's sense of identity and her place within the family, marked by her burgeoning sexuality and disdain for June's lack of interest in dating. Their mother's praise of June further accentuates Connie's perceived shortcomings.
The story continually iterates Connie's sense of herself as being "different" or somehow exceptional in her own mind, even though most readers will recognize her as being a fairly normal teenage girl. Having June as a sort of foil or point of comparison to Connie is important to establish Connie's sense of her place in the family structure; just as Connie compares herself to her friends or other girls in her school. Connie's sense of self is wrapped up in her burgeoning awareness of her own sexuality and her sexual attractiveness to boys and men. Because she knows she is attractive, and that she is an object of desire, her identity depends a great deal on conventional standards of beauty. June is characterized as being rather dull and unattractive, compared to Connie, described as "plain and chunky and steady." June still lives at home, works at the high school, and, according to Connie's mother, saves her money, as opposed to Connie who "couldn't do a thing" and whose head was "filled with trashy daydreams." Connie's priorities revolve around her social life and gaining access to situations where she can attract boys, and she feels some disdain for her sister who seems to have no interest in dating. Since Connie's mother praises June for being responsible and reliable, it is suggested she thinks her daughter Connie is the opposite: lazy and dishonest. The story relates Connie's mother's words as if through Connie's eyes and we therefore see her mother's description of June colored by Connie's sense of annoyance at being constantly compared to her sister.
Get Ahead with eNotes
Start your 48-hour free trial to access everything you need to rise to the top of the class. Enjoy expert answers and study guides ad-free and take your learning to the next level.
Already a member? Log in here.