49 pages • 1 hour read
Laurie Halse AndersonTwisted
Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2007A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Themes
The Transition from Childhood to Adulthood
A major theme of the novel is Tyler’s struggles as he approaches adulthood. His past experiences have left him insecure, though his physical appearance makes him popular and strong. As he learns to navigate high school with his new physique and persona, he seeks positive role models to guide him. At home, Tyler butts heads with his father, though he would appreciate any kind word from Bill. In many ways, Tyler and Bill’s relationship is a classic struggle between father and son, as the younger man comes into his own and embarks on adulthood. Bill lectures Tyler about his choices but does little in the way of setting a positive example. Instead, Tyler accepts support and guidance from other adult men, like Joe the janitor; Mr. Salvatore; his boss, Mr. Pirelli; and his probation officer, Mr. Benson.
Death as Escapism and Punishment
Death is a persistent theme in the novel, with Tyler often retreating to thoughts of death and/or suicide to calm himself. Death becomes the ultimate escape hatch, what Tyler can fantasize about if his insecurities become too intense. Death is also a form of punishment for embarrassing behavior. In adolescence, humiliation cannot be laughed off; it is a social calamity and, therefore, death is preferable.
Social Hierarchy
High school hierarchy is a common theme in most young adult novels. The popular kids are at the top tier of the hierarchy, with everyone else falling somewhere below. Tyler is an outlier for most of the novel because of his new appearance, the attention he receives from Bethany (a popular kid), and because of being accused of posting photos of Bethany online. His long history as a bullied kid prevents him from becoming part of the popular tier, but his physical attributes and status as a troublemaker have elevated him from the lowest tier. Hannah has a more calculating approach to her place in the school hierarchy. She knows that becoming a cheerleader and dating an upperclassman will improve her position but does not want to make the compromises necessary—such as becoming a “mean girl”—to become truly popular.
Impulse versus Logic
Any time Tyler’s inner voice is at odds with his outer behavior, we see examples of impulse versus logic. Tyler knows that he can’t go around beating people up just because of his newly-gained strength, but this does not stop him from fantasizing about assaulting Chip, Chip’s cronies, or his father at various points throughout the novel. Tyler’s ability to separate thought from action indicates a strength of character that we see repeated in his relationship with Bethany. Though Tyler obviously wants to have sex with Bethany, he stops when he reasons that she is too drunk to fully consent. Though Chip has made his life miserable, Tyler makes sure a drunk Chip, Parker and Bethany get home safe. Most of all, though Tyler has fought impulses against suicide for many years, he ultimately decides not to go through with it and does away with the instrument on which many of his fantasies rely: his father’s gun.
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By Laurie Halse Anderson
