A Work in Progress

Content Warning: This section of the guide discusses anti-fat bias, bullying, body dysmorphia, disordered eating, and self-harm.

“‘You’re FAT,’ Nick said.

No no no—

he SPAT it.

That word.

He spat it at me

like it was the worst one

he knew.”

This quotation characterizes Nick as an antagonist and bully. It is also the inciting event for Will’s internal conflict and the plot of the rest of the novel. The use of capitalization puts stress on certain words. For instance, the emphasis of “SPAT” clarifies the way that Nick is speaking, giving his words a negative implication in hurling the insult at Will.

“And it’s not long before

you don’t even need

the Nick Fishers of the world

to be there

to tell you

what they think

of you—

what the whole entire world thinks

of you—

that you

are less than

you

are an animal

not worthy

of kindness

or consideration

or respect.”

This quotation emphasizes the theme of Individual and Systemic Anti-Fat Bias. Nick’s comment produces an internalized self-consciousness within Will. The phrase “you don’t even need the Nick Fishers of the world” emphasizes how Will now believes everyone sees him as unworthy. This opens Will’s eyes to how society sees fat people and treats them as “less than.” Describing himself as “an animal” underscores how much Will has internalized societal beliefs.

“I’ve always been

big.

Bigger

than everyone else.”

This quote characterizes the protagonist, Will. Here, Will points out that while some people judge fatness to be a result of individual actions and decisions, in actuality, fatness has always been a simple fact of who he is. The phrase “bigger than everyone else” further shows how Will compares himself to those around him.