Explication

Mistaken jealousy is emanated the jealous person, through some cause appears to become jealous of some one else. This jealousy is not intentional; it is triggered when perchance another seeks to manipulate us for other ends. I feel that mistaken jealously is one of the Thirty-Six Dramatic Situations that is emphasized by the characters in “The Girls” written by Lori Lansens.

Unintentionally, the two main characters Rose and Ruby Darlen have developed a form of mistaken jealousy between each other. This could be due to the fact that they are craniopagus twins, meaning they are joined at the head. These two girls are connected in every way except for their interests and thoughts.

There are a variety of reasons as to why Rose can be jealous of Ruby. Rose considers herself to be the unattractive one of the two. She describes herself as “miss happen, and frankly grotesque” (Lansens, 38). This is directed to her face since her right eye slants towards her right ear. The girls are attached at Rose’s right ear causing some deformations of the right side of Rose’s face. Rose is able to do a lot of things that Ruby cannot. Being the larger of the two girls Rose is the only one that is able to walk. As a result Rose has to carry Ruby everywhere they go. Due to this Rose could ask herself why do I have to be the one that has to carry Ruby everywhere? This could cause some hidden jealousy. In addition, Rose is the only was that is able to become pregnant. The girls get into the situation where they are taken advantage of. Frankie kisses Ruby because he thinks she is more attractive, but has intercourse with Rose because Ruby is unable to, and Rose becomes pregnant. In this situation, Rose may be jealous of Ruby because Frankie would not have had anything to do with Rose if Ruby was able to have intercourse. He did not want to kiss her he just used her. As she is attached to Ruby, Rose looses some opportunities she could experience. With school Rose is very smart, while Ruby is not; therefore Rose gets the opportunity to go to university. Ruby does not want to go live at university or go at all so Rose decides not to go. Unfortunately, Rose would be jealous of all the other students that get to go to school while she cannot because of her sister. This is an example of mistaken jealousy that is aroused by a fatal chance.

Ruby is named as so “because she shone like a gem” (38), and has many reasons as to why she may experience mistaken jealousy towards her sister Rose. Most of the jealousies that Ruby experiences are envy of the things that Rose can do and she cannot. Rose is able to have children, go to university, and travel. Ruby cannot go to university because she is not intelligent enough, and she is not capable of traveling because she gets very sick. Her being unable to do these things limits what Rose can do. Overall, because of these things “Ruby feels [like an] outcast, and alienated” (61).

Together Rose and Ruby would have a form of mistaken jealousy for those around them. Due to their condition there are many things they cannot do. Between the two of them they did “not have many friends while… growing up. Children [would speak to them] at school and on the bus, but no one ever came to [their] home” (53) to play with them. They are incapable of playing sports, starting a family of their own, perusing a career they may want to do, and much more. These girls live in a community where they watch all around them do things they will never be able to do.

The main theme of this novel would be co-operation and commitment. Together this theme is expressed in the way that they over come the mistaken jealousy they experience between each other. Jealousy that is experienced is between the girl is envy towards one another. Rose and Ruby envy the other for the things they cannot do but the other can instead of celebrating themselves. In the end there girls have a connection like no one else. They are able to sense each others thoughts and finish each others sentences. Seeing a connection like that in a world we live in today is mesmerizing.