As Senior puts it, Alabaster is a school where your reputation really does matter because it's where you make your connections for the rest of your life. But in The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks, Frankie comes to the rather sobering realization that she can only gain respect and reputation up to a certain point because she's a girl. Thankfully, Frankie's determined not to let that glass ceiling bonk her in the head, and so she moves forward to become a part of the Loyal Order of the Basset Hounds anyway… even if she's not technically allowed in. Clever girl.
Questions About Respect and Reputation
- Does Matthew really respect Frankie or does he just like to have her around as his girlfriend? How can you tell?
- Why does Alpha email Frankie to let her know that she did a good job with the pranks? Doesn't he hate her? What's going on there?
- Why does the Loyal Order of the Basset Hounds have such a reputation?
- What do you think is Frankie's reputation around the school? Does it change over the course of the book?
Chew on This
At a school like Alabaster, reputation is everything, which is why Frankie works so hard to make herself known and leave an indelible mark.
Alpha may have a reputation that precedes him, but when he arrives at Alabaster, Frankie makes sure to let him know that he's not the top dog anymore.