Thirteen Reasons Why

by

Jay Asher

Teachers and parents! Our Teacher Edition on Thirteen Reasons Why makes teaching easy.

Jenny Kurtz/The Cheerleader Character Analysis

Jenny Kurtz is the 11th name on Hannah’s list. She first appears when she prints out the names on Hannah’s Valentine’s list, and Hannah thinks Jenny seems genuinely sweet and excited for her. This lines up with Clay’s perception of Jenny as a caring person after he witnesses her distress when she hears about Hannah’s death. But Jenny’s story is complicated: when driving Hannah home after a party, she loses control of her car and knocks over a stop sign. Hannah tries to stop her from driving any further, but Jenny drives off, leaving Hannah behind. During the few hours in which there’s no stop sign on that intersection, Clay witnesses a fatal car crash there, meaning that Jenny’s crash and her decision not to take responsibility for it leads to someone’s death. Jenny’s character reinforces the idea that though someone might not intend to cause serious harm, their lack of self-awareness and choice to avoid accountability can lead to often irreparable damage.

Jenny Kurtz/The Cheerleader Quotes in Thirteen Reasons Why

The Thirteen Reasons Why quotes below are all either spoken by Jenny Kurtz/The Cheerleader or refer to Jenny Kurtz/The Cheerleader. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Rumors and Reputation Theme Icon
).
Cassette 6: Side A Quotes

I want to look back. To look over my shoulder and see the Stop sign with huge reflective letters, pleading with Hannah. Stop!

But I keep facing forward, refusing to see it as more than it is. It’s a sign. A stop sign on a street corner. Nothing more.

Related Characters: Clay Jensen (speaker), Hannah Baker, Jenny Kurtz/The Cheerleader
Page Number: 250
Explanation and Analysis:
Get the entire Thirteen Reasons Why LitChart as a printable PDF.
Thirteen Reasons Why PDF

Jenny Kurtz/The Cheerleader Quotes in Thirteen Reasons Why

The Thirteen Reasons Why quotes below are all either spoken by Jenny Kurtz/The Cheerleader or refer to Jenny Kurtz/The Cheerleader. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Rumors and Reputation Theme Icon
).
Cassette 6: Side A Quotes

I want to look back. To look over my shoulder and see the Stop sign with huge reflective letters, pleading with Hannah. Stop!

But I keep facing forward, refusing to see it as more than it is. It’s a sign. A stop sign on a street corner. Nothing more.

Related Characters: Clay Jensen (speaker), Hannah Baker, Jenny Kurtz/The Cheerleader
Page Number: 250
Explanation and Analysis: