Themes

Eva transitions between being an insider and an outsider. When she is in a homosexual relationship with Maya she is considered by society to be an outsider, but when she is in a heterosexual relationship with Cheese she is considered to be an insider. She is always comfortable with the person she is, but society views her differently which results in her transitioning between an insider and an outsider, showing the way in which these definitions often produce a lot of gray area. Throughout the story, she has trouble with society’s classification of people. There are certain things you can’t change and the views from society are one of those things. It is revealed that at some point in her life she has had an eating disorder, which reflects the way society still has some hold on her. Eva says, "Daddy I've been eating for years. We eat together sometimes" (159). Although Eva now has control over herself, allowing her to be an insider, she would have considered an outsider during her time of anorexia. This is extremely interesting because she stopped eating in order to fit into the mold that society has deemed as acceptable, but in return became an outsider for doing something that society required in order for her to be considered an insider. Also, the waiter “taking the opportunity to glance down her dress” (147) is something she doesn’t have control over. She is constantly trying to be in more than once place. She is able to exert control over herself and is comfortable with her sexuality. She is a confident person who feels comfortable with the way she looks. Her journey consists of her independence. She wants to be independent and strong willed. Eva choosing to not be with Cheese or Maya shows that she is strong enough, and loves herself enough to be alone and not in a relationship. She overcame her insecurities and is moving on with her life for herself, not for someone else which shows agency and control over her body and actions.