You Go First

Charlotte’s dad refers to her tendency to get “swept up researching useless information online” as going down a “rabbit hole” (4). Each chapter that is narrated through Charlotte’s point of view begins with a “rabbit hole” detailing information on a random topic she has researched, illustrating how often she engages in this practice. This recurring motif develops Charlotte’s character, showing that she’s a logical, intelligent person with a wide range of interests and a talent for gathering information. Most of the information in the “rabbit holes” is not “useless,” but she uses them to distract herself from serious problems in her life, such as her father’s illness, her fading friendship with Bridget, and her experiences with bullying. Despite Charlotte’s efforts to ignore her problems and turn her attention to academic topics, the content in the “rabbit holes” is always related to her problems, symbolizing how Charlotte can’t ignore her problems forever and always circles back to them. In this way, the “rabbit holes” characterize Charlotte and shed more light on her situation, an alternative way of communicating when she has a hard time discussing her feelings or preoccupations outright. Ultimately, these distractions or “rabbit holes” lead Charlotte where she’s supposed to be: face-to-face with her problems and emotions.