The Earth, My Butt, And Other Big Round Things

“The Earth, My Butt, And Other Big Round Things” by Carolyn Mackler

Protagonist: Virginia
Antagonist: Her family

Virginia’s motivation in the novel is to fit in, lose weight, and be normal.
Introduction: Virginia is a teenager who is brought up into a well put together family that rarely has any problems. Virginia is overweight and does not have a social life at school. Her only friend, Sharron, unfortunately moves away for a year and she promises to move back because she abandons Virginia in her home town, New York City. As you read the first few pages of the novel Virginia discusses how she has a boy over, named Froggy. She is self conscious about her weight, and doesn’t go very far with Froggy. She has a fat girl code of conduct
that she must obey. Some things in her list are to not have a relationship because she thinks no one will love an oversized girl.
Rising Action: Virginia throughout the novel continues to encounter big problems about her weight.
On the first day of school Virginia had no one to hang out with since her best friend Sharon moved away. So instead, Virginia decided to hide in the bathroom stall and have lunch there. Although she didn’t mind the floor, she heard the popular girls come into the bathroom. They were skinny and pretty, Virginia was no were close to their friend. Virginia’s older brother was the most popular guy in high school and that fact wouldn’t even change her popularity. As the girls came into the bathroom, they were chatting about Virginia and one of them commented on her weight. The next day Virginia decided to hide out in one of her teachers classrooms. Virginia’s life at home was always under spoken because no one in the family really liked to deal with anything and they would avoid problems at any extent. There was one exception, Virginia’s father would always comment on her weight and make remarks such as that she was getting heavier. Everyone in Virginia’s family was perfect to Virginia. Skinny and good looking, so Virginia always felt like she stuck out like a sore thumb. One day Virginia had Froggy over and they were cuddling and bed and all of a sudden Virginia’s mother came home from work. Froggy hid under Virginia’s bed as her mother walked in. She told Virginia the reason she came home early was to take her to the doctor to discuss her diet and her weight. Virginia was
embarrassed and ashamed that Froggy had to hear that. The next day at school Virginia ended things with Froggy so she wouldn’t have to see him after being humiliated in front of him. Virginia’s brother was off in college and it was later recognized that he had raped a girl at a party. Virginia is shook and is surprised that her family totally avoids a big problem such as this and how the problem is never talked about in the house hold. Later on in the novel, Virginia’s mother takes her shopping to the plus size store. Virginia’s mother insists that they shop there, but Virginia wants to look how she wants to look and wants to shop at a normal shop. Virginia is discouraged as her mother doesn’t agree with what she wants to do. As a result, Virginia begins to diet and miss meals in pursuit of losing weight and being accepted.
Climax: Virginia books a ticket to go see her only friend and her parents don’t know until two days in advance. Virginia’s mother is furious that she rebelled against her family’s will. While Virginia is gone, she and her friend get piercings. Sharon gets a tongue piercing, while Virginia gets an eyebrow piercing. When Virginia arrives home her mother once again is mad. Followed by this episode Virginia dies her hair purple. This shows how Virginia is starting to rebel against her family, but this also shows Virginia’s independence and freedom.
Falling Action: Virginia’s drastic changes really grab people’s attention at school. Although she did not intend on doing this, this showed how being yourself brings you forward in life. Virginia is being more accepted into her family and is appreciated for the things she does. Virginia’s mother realizes that a tight knit family can sometimes burry problems. Virginia also stops starving herself and accepts her body.
Conclusion: To conclude, Virginia stirs up things again with Froggy. She becomes actual friends with him and they begin to start liking each other. Virginia also does something that she would never have normally done – kisses Froggy in front of the whole school violating her Fat Code of Conduct, but that’s OK. Virginia’s kiss with Froggy symbolizes that she no longer cares what anyone thinks about her, and that she is now OK with herself.

Personal Review: This book was an easy read and a typical high school situation that could happen to just about anyone. Reading this book I got the chance to explore how one person can go from hating them self, to loving them self.