Ask the Author: J.B. Chicoine
Answered Questions (1)
J.B. Chicoine
Hello Madri,
Thanks for the great question.
While running is important to the plot and character development in Portrait of a Girl Running, it is more relevant as a thematic metaphor.
The story does delve into the challenges of girl athletes in the mid-1970s, before high schools provided separate teams for girls, in this case, a girls’ track team. However, I wouldn’t say that running is a central component—that is, the story does not revolve around running as a sport, but, since the story is more character than action driven, the plot revolves around why the main character, Leila, feels compelled to run—physically and metaphorically.
Please feel free to let me know if you’d like further clarification.
Thanks for the great question.
While running is important to the plot and character development in Portrait of a Girl Running, it is more relevant as a thematic metaphor.
The story does delve into the challenges of girl athletes in the mid-1970s, before high schools provided separate teams for girls, in this case, a girls’ track team. However, I wouldn’t say that running is a central component—that is, the story does not revolve around running as a sport, but, since the story is more character than action driven, the plot revolves around why the main character, Leila, feels compelled to run—physically and metaphorically.
Please feel free to let me know if you’d like further clarification.
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more
May 23, 2016 10:47AM · flag
May 23, 2016 11:38AM · flag
May 23, 2016 12:47PM · flag