Point: narcissistic/manipulative/dominant/authoritative figure

g v t a t w t… k z u

(6) “gave voice to all the wicked things… [Meena] kept zipped up”

• Anita embodies rebellion and freedom that Meena secretly desires

• metaphor of “zipped up” accentuates Anita’s lack of control in comparison to Meena’s

• distinct power imbalance fueled by Anita’s gain in influence through expressing what others fear to say aloud

t y c f c s b t

(6) “those you called friends could suddenly become tormentors”

• sudden shift and contrast between “friends” and “tormentors” exposes instability of adolescent relationships

• Anita’s social power depends on intimidation and exclusion

• Meena’s eventual recognition of this contributes to her own emotional maturity; Anita is a bad influence on her

u h t r b a a c

(7) “used her thin rigid back as a compass” 

• extended metaphor presents Anita as Meena’s guide and source of direction

• “rigid” subtly foreshadows emotional coldness and inflexibility

• reflects Meena’s dependence and idolisation of Anita

A r t t s s o a w m v

(10) “Anita reacted to the slightest sniff of authority with mindless violence”

• recurring theme, particularly against adults

• “slightest sniff” implies hypersensitivity to control

• “Mindless violence” suggests impulsivity rather than genuine power

• Syal presents Anita’s rebellion as self-destructive and rooted in instability

• juxtaposition of this weakness of threat with the “violence” in Anita’s reaction portrays Anita as someone capable of detecting very subtle challenges to her own authority, which elicits sympathy from the reader as this is likely a coping mechanism to preserve what little control she has - not over her own life, but over others.