Anyone who's ever set foot in high school knows the importance of reputation. We may have tried to avoid the drama, rumor-mongering, and gossip that comes part and parcel with the high school experience, but chances are that we've seen or maybe even been caught up in some drama.
Respect and reputation are at the core of what causes Dominique to decide to attack Trina in Jumped. Dominique's primary philosophy is, "don't get in my space, and I won't get in yours" both figuratively and literally. Once she feels slighted, she thinks the only way to regain her reputation is to retaliate. Except the only people who know what Trina did are Dominique's two friends.
Reputation is also what prevents Leticia from making the Dominique-Trina line into a triangle. She doesn't want to be labeled as a snitch or become part of a piece of dramatic theater based on hearsay. And in some ways, it's hard for us to categorically condemn Leticia and Dominique for their actions when we know the importance of reputation. This is high school, after all.
Questions About Respect and Reputation
- Would Dominique have reacted the same way if Shayne and Viv had not been with her? Why or why not?
- Why does Bea call the whole matter "trifling" and how does the situation escalate from trifling to violent?
- Dominique got suspended the year before. Trina transferred into the school. Do these events have any bearing on the reputations of these girls? Why or why not?
- Leticia refuses to tell Trina in part because she doesn't want to get involved with the drama. How can gossip and drama affect someone's reputation?
Chew on This
If Leticia told Trina or a teacher about Dominique's intentions, Leticia would have lost her reputation.
Dominique's reputation comes from her passion for basketball, so when she loses her minutes, she loses her reputation.