Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Piecing Me Together, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Intersectionality, Identity, and Discrimination
The Power of Language
Mentorship, Opportunity, and Dignity
Friendship
Summary
Analysis
On Monday morning, Sam asks Jade if she’ll be able to hang out over the weekend. Jade is busy and she feels bad for not spending much time with Sam. Kennedy waves to them outside. Inside, Josiah tells everyone in the hallway that they’re going out to lunch at Zack’s Burgers. He tells Jade she has to come, but Jade only accepts because E.J. gave her some money. Kennedy greets Jade and she says that since Jade walks to school, she could give Jade a ride. Jade explains that she takes the bus from North Portland. Kennedy’s eyes go wide as she says that it makes sense now. Jade isn’t sure she wants to go to lunch with Kennedy and Josiah now.
Kennedy’s surprise when she learns that Jade lives in North Portland speaks to Jade’s success at hiding important parts of her identity at school. At least in the eyes of Jade’s classmates, she fits in more than she thinks she does. This, however, doesn’t mean that Jade has real friends—she’s still lonely, even if she might put on a good show of fitting in. Kennedy’s surprise also suggests that she holds distinct ideas about what Jade’s life might be like, something that Jade already finds offensive.
Themes
