Mark
asked
J.B. Chicoine:
Hello. This story came to my attention as I am trying to find a novel for professional reasons where running is a central component rather than just the backdrop or the side interest of a character. Could you shed a bit of light on this for me? Thank you so much for taking the time to answer.
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.
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