More Lindsay and Juliet

[Rachel-K]

In what ways have your feelings for each of these characters altered through the course of reading this novel?

One person in the earlier thread mentioned anger at Juliet for her suicide attempt--have others felt anything other than total sympathy for Juliet?

Were you surprised by Juliet's list of bullying and teasing that she'd had to deal with from Lindsay, Elody, Sam and Alley?

Did Sam have any real sense of how much hurt she'd caused? Do you think Lindsay does?

How does Sam see Lindsay, now that she has a much bigger picture of her friend's life?

Do you think Lindsay truly loves her close friends?

[Zia01]

In what ways have your feelings for each of these characters altered through the course of reading this novel? I don't feel as harshly towards Lindsey but her actions anger me. I think they both need to learn some coping skills.

One person in the earlier thread mentioned anger at Juliet for her suicide attempt--have others felt anything other than total sympathy for Juliet? I feel bad for Juliet but yes I'm angry at her choice to end her life. I just don't see it as a solution.

 Were you surprised by Juliet's list of bullying and teasing that she'd had to deal with from Lindsay, Elody, Sam and Alley? I wasn't surprised at all really. Teenagers can be cruel.

Did Sam have any real sense of how much hurt she'd caused? Do you think Lindsay does? Ya Sam has started to realize the damage done and I know deep down Lindsey's knows too. I'm just not sure she cares yet.

How does Sam see Lindsay, now that she has a much bigger picture of her friend's life? I think Sam's eyes are opening to a lot of things. She doesn't approve of Lindsey's actions but she love's her. She's her best friend.

Do you think Lindsay truly loves her close friends? I think she does yes in her own messed up sort of way.

[KateBrianIsAwe…]

In what ways have your feelings for each of these characters altered through the course of reading this novel? Well I am understanding the characters a lot more. So I don't think they are naturally mean and cruel people.

One person in the earlier thread mentioned anger at Juliet for her suicide attempt--have others felt anything other than total sympathy for Juliet? I am mad at Juliet for wanting to die. Although I understand how she feels it is not the solution to her problems. If she sticks with life people will grow up and be a little more nicer. People do care about and if she let people close enough to her, she could actually have friends. Lindsay is not the only girl out there. When we think no one cares, we are wrong. The people around you would feel the pain of a loss. If in a rare situation no one does truly care about you, I'm sure there are people out there in the world who could care about you if you met them.

Were you surprised by Juliet's list of bullying and teasing that she'd had to deal with from Lindsay, Elody, Sam and Alley? No, when you get picked on you don't forget. I remember all the people who have commented on my body. I'm naturally skinny and probably always will be and people's remarks have hurt and angered me. Sometimes if they say it in a nice way, I don't feel bad. I think we should all accept our bodies for the way they are. Sorry for getting off topic.

Did Sam have any real sense of how much hurt she'd caused? Do you think Lindsay does? I think she knows and is sorry. Lindsay, I think is stubborn but she is upset about what happened.

How does Sam see Lindsay, now that she has a much bigger picture of her friend's life? She sees her as an afraid person. She is scared that people will find out that she is not so perfect after all.

Do you think Lindsay truly loves her close friends? Yes, Lindsay does love her close friends.

[Facepalm]

In what ways have your feelings for each of these characters altered through the course of reading this novel?

         My feelings haven't changed much for any of them. I do like Sam more now as she tries to fix her past mistakes. Also the way she describes Elody starts to make me see her in a different, more innocent way. At this point I am madly in love with Kent, but he's been a favorite from the beginning.

One person in the earlier thread mentioned anger at Juliet for her suicide attempt--have others felt anything other than total sympathy for Juliet?

         I only feel sympathy. She was treated terribly for something that wasn't her fault. Even though suicide is NEVER the best option, I do feel that she went through more than anyone should have to.

Were you surprised by Juliet's list of bullying and teasing that she'd had to deal with from Lindsay, Elody, Sam and Alley?

         Not at all. From the beginnig we've known they were mean and ruthless. This only supports that.

Did Sam have any real sense of how much hurt she'd caused? Do you think Lindsay does?

         I think sam is just beginnig to see how much damage she inflicted on innocent people. She doesn't fully understand the proper way to go about fixing her mistakes, but she is at least starting to see. Lindsay doesn't really. She may have gotten a tiny fraction of the message when Sam dropped her off, but I doubt she's going to turn around and start being a perfect angel.

How does Sam see Lindsay, now that she has a much bigger picture of her friend's life?

        Sam is simply disappointed that her friend would hurt somebody so badly for something so little and easily forgiveable.

Do you think Lindsay truly loves her close friends?

        Actually, yes. I can't explain it, but it does feel like she is connected to them.

I couldn't believe after chapter 6 what Lindsay had done. She took something that could have been a small and minorly damaging incident and blew it up, throwing fuel onto the fire until an innocent girl wanted to kill herself to escape the pain she had  caused. Even for lindsay, that was low, and stupid.

[Annette94]

In what ways have your feelings for each of these characters altered through the course of reading this novel?

Well, at first, I saw Juliet as the girl that was just in the backround. Just one of the authors ways to get the reader to hate the girls. But I soon realized that Juliet was the center of this story and that Lindsay is just really insecure! Goes to show that looks can be deceiving.

One person in the earlier thread mentioned anger at Juliet for her suicide attempt--have others felt anything other than total sympathy for Juliet?

I felt bad for her, but honestly, taking your life? No matter how bad you think your life sucks, there are people that are worse off. Juliet was going to graduate in a year anyway. She couldn't just handle one more year, so then she could move on with her life? So, of course, she decided to end her life, ruining everybody elses.

Were you surprised by Juliet's list of bullying and teasing that she'd had to deal with from Lindsay, Elody, Sam and Ally?

Not at all. She was bound to make them sound terrible, even blame them for things they didn't do. That's what people do when they feel like crap. They blame it on everybody else. Yes, The girls did make her life a living hell, but don't you think she might have over exagerated a bit much?

Did Sam have any real sense of how much hurt she'd caused? Do you think Lindsay does?

I don't think Sam really knew much, because she's not really like that, but Lindsay, for sure. She didn't care when she pushed Juliet at the party, and didn't care when she sent her that rose every year. As for Sam, she knew it was wrong, but I guess that's what people do to fit in, and not feel like a total outcast.

How does Sam see Lindsay, now that she has a much bigger picture of her friend's life?

Sam sees Lindsay as insecure, as she should. Probably feels a little pity for Lindsay. Despite being a total bitch, Lindsay did feel bad about herself, and always wanted to seem like she was perfect, and apparantly that put too much pressure on her. Especially, knowing about all that had happen in Lindsay's home when she was younger.

Do you think Lindsay truly loves her close friends?

I really do think Lindsay loves her close friends because she has nowhere else to turn to, everybody else hates her. With out them, who would she be?

[hoot]

In what ways have your feelings for each of these characters altered through the course of reading this novel?

My feelings never changed towards the characters, I only grew to understand them better. Yes, there were experiences in their pasts that led them to have the attitudes they have, but I hardly call that an excuse for the way they act. Understanding them better didn't make me like them anymore.

One person in the earlier thread mentioned anger at Juliet for her suicide attempt--have others felt anything other than total sympathy for Juliet?

ME! I think that she was being totally selfish. I mean really, plenty of people go through verbal abuses in school that don't even consider killing themselves. It's four years and then its over. I found it astounding that she could not see past the here and now, or to remember that her sisters life would be so dramatically affected by her loss.

Were you surprised by Juliet's list of bullying and teasing that she'd had to deal with from Lindsay, Elody, Sam and Alley?

Not at all. Like I said before, its common to suffer bulling in high schools. There are solutions, she just didn't make an effort to make things better for herself.

Did Sam have any real sense of how much hurt she'd caused? Do you think Lindsay does?

Probably neither of them do. Its hard to understand the hurt you cause unless you have been on the other side of that pain. Those girl clearly had not been ridiculed for their entire school career.

How does Sam see Lindsay, now that she has a much bigger picture of her friend's life?

I think that Sam has sympathy for Lindsay, while at the same time despises the actions of her friend in retrospect. She still loves her friend despite the things that she hates. She realizes that her friendship goes deep enough to forgive and forget.

Do you think Lindsay truly loves her close friends?

I think that her friends are her world. She doesn't want to show weakness so she can be harsh on her friends. She knows that no matter what she does they will still be there for her. 

[Bethie2]

In what ways have your feelings for each of these characters altered through the course of reading this novel?

I think I began to see Juliet as a more 3 dimentional person.  The first time you see her, the girls describe her as being so weird, that you don't get to see the other side of her.

One person in the earlier thread mentioned anger at Juliet for her suicide attempt--have others felt anything other than total sympathy for Juliet?

I felt a lot of sympathy for Juliet.  I can see here people were angered by her suicide.  Many are angered by suicides feeling the person was thinking of anyone but themselves.

Were you surprised by Juliet's list of bullying and teasing that she'd had to deal with from Lindsay, Elody, Sam and Alley?

This did not surprise me.  I knew they were very mean to her.

Did Sam have any real sense of how much hurt she'd caused? Do you think Lindsay does?

I think deep down Sam knew she was causing Juliet pain.  Lindsay is a little shallow and I don't know if she sees what she is doing until it was too late.

How does Sam see Lindsay, now that she has a much bigger picture of her friend's life?

She still loves her.  She sees her as damaged, but hers.  She is still HER Lindsay.

Do you think Lindsay truly loves her close friends?

I think she loves her close friends in her own way.

[SpunkiiReader]

In what ways have your feelings for each of these characters altered through the course of reading this novel? I have changed my feelings towards a lot of the characters. With Lindsay I now feel sorry for her but I still don't see why she can't find a better way to cope with the struggles in her life. She doesn't need to take it out on those she thinks are inferior to her. With Juliet I have always liked her but that may be because I could relate to her I was a loner and outsider alot in HS, I really wish she didn't choose the the path of suicide but I do understand where she is coming from.  

One person in the earlier thread mentioned anger at Juliet for her suicide attempt--have others felt anything other than total sympathy for Juliet? I don't have anger for her, she really doest see anything getting any better anytime soon. So for her she thinks no one will care, she sees suicide as her only escape, she has tried ignoring Lindsay and the others but they just continue to torture her even more for no reason. I feel nothing but sympathy for her.

Were you surprised by Juliet's list of bullying and teasing that she'd had to deal with from Lindsay, Elody, Sam and Alley? No not really, from every thing else we've heard about them from Sam why would their bulling stop at just calling Juliet a psycho?

Did Sam have any real sense of how much hurt she'd caused? Do you think Lindsay does? I think in the act of bulling, no Sam doesn't, but as the book goes along she is beginning to see it. With Lindsay, No not at all.

How does Sam see Lindsay, now that she has a much bigger picture of her friend's life? I think she is starting to piece together the cause and effect in Lindsay's life that before were just "the way she is."  I think she see her as broken but trying to fix herself the wrong way.

Do you think Lindsay truly loves her close friends? I think she does, I think that on day 4 when Sam yelled at her that by the next day they would have been back together even if Sam didn't apologize because she knows that what Sam said was true.

[stopper19]

I do have a lot of sympathy for Juliet but I was also mad at her for trying to end her life. I know that Juliet had a very hard life. She didn't fit in, didn't have any friends, and was always made fun of but she never seemed to stick up for herself until the end of the book. When Lindsey peed in the tent Juliet should have stuck up for herself and told Lindsey that she wasn't going to take anymore crap from her. I know it is hard to stand up for yourself sometimes but after all of those years why would she keep taking that torture? I do feel very bad for Juliet but I think she was worried about making other people happy. She said after the tent incident that she was just going to let it go and she thought things would change. Here she had Lindsey in mind instead of what was going to happen to her. Juliet is a very complex character.

I think that Sam sees Lindsey as a totally different person. Sam said that Lindsey was the strong one. The leader of the group and the decision maker. She always told everyone what to do but they always listened to her because they though that she always knew best because she was so popular. But Sam got a chance to see right through Lindsey. To see how weak she really is and how much she was trying to hide. I think that Lindsey was trying to cover up for all of the mistakes that she made in the past by being the most popular in the future and she was going to do anything to accomplish this.

I do think that Lindsey loves her close friends. They are all very close and hang out all of the time together. They even dressed alike. Although, Lindsey is hiding a lot of secrets from them and is double faced. Sometimes she tells her friends the truth and sometimes she keeps things to herself. She loves them but she hides what she think will ruin her reputation or her friendships.

[Rebz]

In what ways have your feelings for each of these characters altered through the course of reading this novel?

Reading the rest of the novel made me sympathize more with Juliet, and in a way with Sam also, although both characters also upset me and angered me at times.

One person in the earlier thread mentioned anger at Juliet for her suicide attempt--have others felt anything other than total sympathy for Juliet?

While I did feel bad for Juliet her suicide made me upset.  I felt like she was being extremely selfish and not giving it a shot.

Were you surprised by Juliet's list of bullying and teasing that she'd had to deal with from Lindsay, Elody, Sam and Alley?

Not at all, teenagers can be mean and cruel and when you're on the recieving end, it sticks way after its over.

Did Sam have any real sense of how much hurt she'd caused? Do you think Lindsay does?

Sam, definitely. You can totally tell by Sam's thoughts and actions that showed us how she's growing and realizing things.  I don't think Lindsay physically shows it, but I think deep down she does too.

How does Sam see Lindsay, now that she has a much bigger picture of her friend's life?

Sam still sees Lindsay as her best friend, faults and all..and now Sam realizes that Lindsay is not perfect and she does have her faults.

Do you think Lindsay truly loves her close friends?

I think she really does. I think Lindsay sees past the status aspect of it and is very protective of her friends. But as we saw with Juliet, sometimes she uses others, especially those close to her to hide her insecurities about herself.

[bookrooted]

In what ways have your feelings for each of these characters altered through the course of reading this novel?

One person in the earlier thread mentioned anger at Juliet for her suicide attempt--have others felt anything other than total sympathy for Juliet?

-- My feeling for Lindsay have not changed at all. Still thinks she is sadly cruel and sometimes just has a horrible personality. When i read of Juliet's suicide attempt, i just felt pity, like i have throughout the book. I feel incredibly bad for her, but at the same time, no one should do that. She could have stood up, ignored it the best she could, confronted them, tell somebody, do something other than kill yourself.

Were you surprised by Juliet's list of bullying and teasing that she'd had to deal with from Lindsay, Elody, Sam and Alley?

-- I knew of the horrible teasing, but i was still shocked by the list. No one deserves that, and no one should ever even do that! All because the 'leader' did not like the girl. I'm sure none of the other girls had any reason do some of the things they did besides that Lindsay tells them too, or that she does it and they have to follow along.

Did Sam have any real sense of how much hurt she'd caused? Do you think Lindsay does?

-- Sam has an idea, but never experienced the hurt for herself. I don't think Sam could relate to Juliet that much for that. Lindsay knows she has been ruining Juliet's life, though that did not stop her. She didn't think it would last that long, or go that far, but when it did, she still had the chance to stick up for her old bestfriend who didnt deserve any of this, and make it all stop. But she continued to let it happen, edging it on.

How does Sam see Lindsay, now that she has a much bigger picture of her friend's life?

-- I think Sam is shocked by Lindsay's behavior, knowing the bigger picture. Probably swirls of disbelief, pity, anger, and maybe even feeling betrayed for never knowing this, and that she was friends with such a person. Sam is probably, i know i am, repulsed by Lindsay

Do you think Lindsay truly loves her close friends?

-- If she loved them, and they loved her, they could be their true selves around each other, but you only catch glimpses. All those girls need to work on their trust and confidence if they wish for a real, loving friendship. I bet if Lindsay got to know them better, and she was less cruel and not ashamed of herself, they would love her back.

[flarglepuf]

In what ways have your feelings for each of these characters altered through the course of reading this novel?

I was impressed by the depth of each character when all was said and done.  I don't really sympathize with any of them, but I Understand them.  It's almost like I would be willing to grant them forgiveness.

One person in the earlier thread mentioned anger at Juliet for her suicide attempt--have others felt anything other than total sympathy for Juliet?

Nope.  Total sympathy for Juliet.  Except, I did find her a bit annoying,  it seemed like she went out of her way to make any good thing that happened to her into a bad thing.  Like I feel as though she blew up the entire roses situation.  Another thing is that she wouldn't listen to anyone. When Sam tried to explain some of the things to Juliet, she would not listen to reason for any means whatsoever.

Did Sam have any real sense of how much hurt she'd caused? Do you think Lindsay does?

 Sam had no idea.  I think if she did, she would have stopped, and probably made Lindsay, Ally, and Elody stop too.  Lindsay, on the other hand, seems like she does know, she just choses to ignore it and hide what might be a small sign of guilt under the parties and the drinks and the carefree nature.

How does Sam see Lindsay, now that she has a much bigger picture of her friend's life?

She understands her.  She doesn't really approve or dissaprove of her actions, but she understands why she does things and still sees her as her best friend.

Do you think Lindsay truly loves her close friends?

Honestly, no.  I think if it came down to it, the whole Juliet situation could happen again with Sam, Ally,or Elody in Juliet's place.

[nicole21WA]

---

Rachel-K wrote:

Do you think Lindsay truly loves her close friends?

---

I think Lindsay loves as best she can.  She apparently hasn't really been loved by her parents, so she doesn't know how to truly love anyone.  I hope Lindsay realizes her issues.

[FortunaLuna]

Do you think Lindsay truly loves her close friends?

This is such a tough question to answer! In a way, Lindsay does. But she also is EXTREMELY insecure and is it possible for someone that insecure to truly love? She had a best friend for years and she threw it a way in one night. In addition, Lindsay gave Sam the cold shoulder so quickly after Sam called her out...

[Sheltiemama]

I was bullied in school, so I feel total sympathy for Juliet. I wasn't surprised by her list at all. If you're lucky, like me, you grow up, let go of what happened in the past and focus on making a good life now. I'd like to think that's what will happen to Juliet, if Sam can stop her from killing herself.

Sam and her friends -- especially Ally and Elody, who didn't have the history with Juliet that Lindsay had -- never gave any thought to how much they hurt Juliet. It's a powerfull message about how people who just go along with something are just as guilty as the ones who initiate it.

Sam realizes that Lindsay is scared of people finding out she's not perfect and all-powerful. It makes her more human in Sam's eyes.

Sam truly loves her close friends, despite their flaws. I suspect they'd be more accepting of each other's weaknesses than any of them imagine, but you can't see that at 17.

[starie_nite]

Were you surprised by Juliet's list of bullying and teasing that she'd had to deal with from Lindsay, Elody, Sam and Alley? Oh, how I would love to reply yes to this.  Unfortunately, having been on the receiving end of this kind of bullying and teasing, I know all to well the kind of impact it can have.  I was lucky enough that most of the people who teased me were in grades above me, so they graduated the same year I was teased.  

Did Sam have any real sense of how much hurt she'd caused? Do you think Lindsay does? I think that Lindsay does, specifically because she and Juliet were friends at one point.  For Sam, I think that at the beginning of the novel she doesn't because she didn't care.  To recognize the kind of impact you have on another person's life means that you actually consider how other people feel.  The fact that she asks, however, shows the changes Sam experiences throughout this "day."

[CharlieG31]

In what ways have your feelings for each of these characters altered through the course of reading this novel?

I believe that what all the characters have accomplished in me is not to judge people, to get to know them and even if you dont like then to NEVER be mean to people just for being different.

One person in the earlier thread mentioned anger at Juliet for her suicide attempt--have others felt anything other than total sympathy for Juliet?

 I have always felt sympathy for Juliet and sometimes I wish I could go into the book and tell her its alright I can help you and try to help her in every way I can which is why I thoroughly enjoy when Sam tries to help people.

Were you surprised by Juliet's list of bullying and teasing that she'd had to deal with from Lindsay, Elody, Sam and Alley?

I was surprised because sometimes when we say something we just think people will get over it quickly and that when we greet them again they will prolly say hi and a brand new day. Which is why this clearly showed that when you are mean to someone they will prolly remember you and even though they may show they have forgotten , they will always remember what you did to them which is why whenever we are about to be mean to someone we should think of how we will affect this people.

 How does Sam see Lindsay, now that she has a much bigger picture of her friend's life?

 She sees that Lindsay is just the same as she is that Lindsay was once also a girl who was bothered and because of this fear of being laughed at she changed herself.  This shows how many people are when they are bothered and then to defend themselves they change and become those mean people they were so afraid of .

Do you think Lindsay truly loves her close friends?

I believe Lindsay does love her friends and that even though she might not show it she really believes her friends are an important part of her life which is why she always wants to be iwth them.

[aprilh]

My feelings for Lindsay have changed slightly. Knowing more of her background has made me more sympathetic towards her. Yes, she still is mean toward others she deems not worthy. But, now I see something else there. How frightened she is that someday someone will figure out the truth about her, that her life is not really as wonderful as she makes it seem. As for Juliet, I felt total sympathy for her the entire time, but felt there had to be a better way to solve her problems then by committing suicide.

It was hard for me to read how much bullying Juliet had to endure from Sam and her friends. The girls went out of their way to make her life miserable from stealing her gym clothes, taking pictures of her showering and posting them up in school, telling everyone she lost her virginity for a pack of cigarettes. I think the thing that saddened me the most about this scene was that while Juliet remembered everything vividly, Sam had forgotten about stealing Juliet's gym clothes. It just goes to show how devastating this was to Juliet and how it didn't mean much to Sam.

I don't think Sam realized how much she had hurt Juliet until after their conversation in the bathroom. I think Sam needed to hear all these things to try and make amends in the future. At the end of Chapter 6 when Lindsay finds out Juliet is dead, I think that's when it hits her, how awful it was for her to destroy her friendship with Juliet to protect herself.

I think Sam feels she understands Lindsay more. She doesn't agree with what Lindsay has done to Juliet to protect herself from becoming embarrassed, but I think she sees a more vulnerable side to Lindsay she never saw before.

I do think Lindsay truly loves her friends. She seems like she would do anything for them. I was most surprised when Sam starts hanging out with Kent and Lindsay didn't make a big deal out of it. She may not have wanted to hang out with Kent, but she also wasn't going to stop Sam from hanging out with him if she wanted to. I was most proud of her in that moment.