Revenge

Author's Note: In this book, (which is the same one I made predictions on in my piece Wicked), I showed my understanding of the category of theme on the reader's rubric. I also focused on my word choice especially in the conclusion.

She’s back, and as lethal as ever.  There’s a new “A” in town who has got lots in store for these pretty little liars.  What’s on her mind now? It’s always the same. Revenge.  It is what fuels “A” to stalk these girls, taunt them, commit crimes even.  The idea of having these girls pay is the idea most satisfying to “A,” and the idea that after this the liar’s perfect lives will never be the same. The main theme in Sara Shepard's Wicked is not only revenge, but the determination, that intense need for that revenge that you will go to any lengths to accomplish the perfect punishment for those who deserve such.

Revenge in my life is painting your brother's nails in his sleep to get back at him for that ice cold bucket of water he dumped over you at 5 in the morning.  “A” obviously has a different idea of revenge.   Although "A" is all kinds of awful, I have to say I kind of admire her.  Not that I worship evil blackmailers or anything, but I have to say the way she keeps these girls in the dark, knows their next step before even they do themselves, and has the power to make them do whatever she wants with the bat of an eyelash--is seriously impressive.  The first piece to the puzzle is the messages.  Threatening them.  She knows all of their secrets and is enjoying taunting them with it, leaving them petrified as to when she would expose the secrets that could very well ruin them.  "These pretty little liars got everything I ever wanted, and now I'm going to make sure they get exactly what they deserve." -A (Pg 172)

The second piece? The action. Cut off all the liar’s sources, so the games can continue until she finds the perfect moment to strike.  Hanna knew her identity, let’s hit her with a car. Ian, Ally’s supposed murder, knows her identity, let’s strangle him.  “A” could be some random psycho, but I doubt it.  This chick (or guy, I guess) has some serious willpower.  She took out a pretty strong teenage guy with her BARE HANDS. By STRANGLING HIM.   “A” not only is an expert blackmailer, but she is one crazy beast going around killing guys like its as regular as you and your friends' Friday movie night. This idea of revenge, this idea of messing with these girls has become so accustomed into this her life--it's like she couldn't stop if she tried.  

The theme of revenge in novels isn’t uncommon, in fact the book I am currently reading for social studies, Cast Two Shadows, is a great example of just that.  We were assigned to read historical fiction book on the American Revolution, and with just that you can already pick out the theme of revenge with the idea of the British wanted to get back at the colonists for their outbursts against the king.  The British are like “A,” think they can take advantage of the liars (or in Britain's case the colonists) and get them to do whatever they want them to do.  The war itself is revenge against the colonists refusal against taxes and other events, much like how “A”’s threatening messages are revenge against something these girls did to this unidentified person in the past.  

Wicked by Sara Shepard has the constant theme of revenge coursing through each of its pages. “A” is ripping the liar’s senses to shreds, until the darkness surrounding them swallows them whole.  Tearing them so far out of reality, slowly claiming their minds.  Taking over their lives.  For what?  No one knows.  All we know is “A” wants revenge, and she won’t stop until she gets it.