Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Family, Responsibility, and Growing Up
Love and Fear
Social Structure, Reputation, and High School
Lies vs. Honesty
Summary
Analysis
Lara Jean can feel people staring at her as she gets on the bus. Chris slides in next to her and says she heard something “cray-cray.” Lara Jean insists it’s not true as Peter stops next to her and asks if she’s okay. When he hears that everyone is saying they had sex, he says that people need to keep to themselves. He’s not concerned and insists the rumor doesn’t matter, since it’s not true. Lara Jean tries not to cry as Peter asks why she’s mad. Chris tells him to find a new seat, but Peter touches Lara Jean’s shoulder. Lara Jean flinches, and Peter finally leaves.
It's easy for Peter to say that the rumor doesn’t matter, as he’s not the one who will suffer the most because of this gossip. This rumor shakes Lara Jean so much, because in addition to not being used to all this attention, the rumor also suggests that she’s sexually active—an idea that’s both untrue and offensive to her, given her fears surrounding intimacy.
Themes
Chris counsels Lara Jean that it’s never fair for the girl; the guys were probably congratulating Peter. She’s not sure if he told people, but she says it doesn’t matter—he probably didn’t discourage others from talking about it. Chris says Lara Jean should let Genevieve have Peter. Genevieve gets on the bus last and, as she walks down the aisle, she whispers in girls’ ears. The girls she speaks to stare at Lara Jean. Chris whispers, “bitch,” and Lara Jean sobs.
Given that Genevieve is whispering in girls’ ears on her way down the bus aisle, it seems unlikely that Peter was the one spreading the rumors. Genevieve has taken revenge on Lara Jean, just as Lara Jean expected her to. Now, Lara Jean’s reputation at school will change entirely. And because the popular Genevieve has so much power, it’ll be hard for Lara Jean to control the damage.
Themes
