People pleaser - Such a Fun Age, chapters 11-15.

 Insecurities play a big role during these chapters both for Emira and Alix, as their personalities get either downplayed or exaggerated. Emira has always compared herself with others, and often feels as if she had to do more. During the Thanksgiving dinner, I could see a more silent and composed version of her. But, it felt as if Emira was not really being herself, especially after the uncomfortable conversation she had with Tamra, the only other black woman in attendance. Both are black women, but their income and life-style are broadly different, which leads Tamra to diminish Emira’s life unintentionally. Tamra wanted to be a “role model” for her, but she ended up being patronising. 

In contrast, Alix’s whole purpose from the start was to make herself look like a relatable woman to Emira but nothing in her life, apart from her gender, could be relatable to her and this self-consciousness leaves her embarrassed about herself and her lifestyle. And now, with Kelley’s presence, she goes from easy-going to hyper-aware, as if she were back in high school again, trying to prove that she was “cool” and “not racist”. But, she’s just a white woman trying to prove herself to a white man who thinks he’s a black ally just because he wants to feel better about himself.