“Lizzie an’ the girls”? This shows the genius of Lynn Johnston. With just 4 words she establishes a character trait about Michael Patterson that lasts forever.
SPOILER this next part. Don’t read if you don’t want to know the future.
Michael does not know the names of Elizabeth’s female friends. Elizabeth will develop three female best friends starting with Dawn Enjo we see today. Michael will never call any of these girls by name. He will always address Elizabeth only and ignore the others. Even in the story where Dawn crushes on Michael after he gets his driver’s license, he does not talk to her or say her name.
The incorrect plural does it. By saying, “Lizzie an’ the girls”, it gets your attention because the first thing you think is “Is he blind? There is only one girl besides Lizzie.” 4 words tell you exactly what Mike thinks of Lizzie’s friends. It is superb writing.
“Lizzie an’ the girls”? This shows the genius of Lynn Johnston. With just 4 words she establishes a character trait about Michael Patterson that lasts forever.
SPOILER this next part. Don’t read if you don’t want to know the future.
Michael does not know the names of Elizabeth’s female friends. Elizabeth will develop three female best friends starting with Dawn Enjo we see today. Michael will never call any of these girls by name. He will always address Elizabeth only and ignore the others. Even in the story where Dawn crushes on Michael after he gets his driver’s license, he does not talk to her or say her name.
The incorrect plural does it. By saying, “Lizzie an’ the girls”, it gets your attention because the first thing you think is “Is he blind? There is only one girl besides Lizzie.” 4 words tell you exactly what Mike thinks of Lizzie’s friends. It is superb writing.