Questions About Tracy Flick Can't Win

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Answered Questions (6)

Was anyone else bothered that Vito didn't include the two women he impregnated on his 12 step list? Or was that the point? Even if Vito didn't care, I wanted Perrotta to include their stories and Reggie's.

Michelle Those two women were people he wronged in high school. He states that his sponsor told him to start with those he wronged as an adult first, although …moreThose two women were people he wronged in high school. He states that his sponsor told him to start with those he wronged as an adult first, although Reggie was on the initial list, so maybe those he wronged from college forward. Then he would deal with those in high school, then middle school, then elementary school, piecing it out in smaller chunks so it didn't feel as overwhelming. Perrotta did include a synopsis of what happened with Reggie: Reggie, a black man was dating a white girl from an Italian Catholic family who were rather racist; when approached by her younger brother, a cop, who basically said 'we don't want your kind', Reggie told him to say exactly what he meant (probably the n-word) and when he did, Reggie beat the crap out of the brother and went down for the felony assault of a police officer. (less)

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Where did the Dr. come from?

Michelle She was Dr. Flick because she earned her doctorate in education.

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I didn’t understand why Marissa wanted to be friends with Tracy so badly. Was Marissa just lonely and wanted a friend? Or did she want to keep Tracy close given her husband’s past infidelity?

Jim O'Donnell Great question! I think Marissa is lonely, partly from the infidelity. I think she's lonely because she moved to her husband's hometown and it sounds …moreGreat question! I think Marissa is lonely, partly from the infidelity. I think she's lonely because she moved to her husband's hometown and it sounds like her sense of style and her appetites differ from what's standard fare around town. I think she feels a little displaced and for that reason she wants Tracy's friendship.

I never sensed that she is worried Tracy is going to carry on with her husband, but I might have missed signs of that which other readers notice.(less)

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This question contains spoilers... (view spoiler)

Susie

This answer contains spoilers… (view spoiler)

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Can you read this as a standalone or should you read the previous book in the series first?

Jim O'Donnell I think it's helpful to have read Election to understand Tracy's background and how it plays on who she is and how she thinks through the course of th…moreI think it's helpful to have read Election to understand Tracy's background and how it plays on who she is and how she thinks through the course of this book.(less)

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