Introduction
Elena Richardson, the protagonist of Celeste Ng’s Little Fires Everywhere, is dynamic. She is a mother of four, a successful lawyer, and a resident of Shaker Heights, a town that prides itself on its order and structure. Through her character development, readers can observe how her primary trait of rigidity evolves into something more flexible and understanding.
Discussion
When readers first meet Elena, she is portrayed as a strict and rigid parent. Initially, Elena is a rule-abiding person who values structure and predictability. She is a perfectionist who expects her family to be just as organized as she wants it to be. She is also very judgmental of those who do not conform to her standards and does not accept those who do not conform to the norms of her upper-class world.
She believes that the only way to effectively raise her four children is by adhering to strict rules and expectations. Despite her best efforts, her children often rebel against her (Ng, 2018). For instance, Izzy, her youngest daughter, is the most vocal about her discontent. The reader can see that Elena’s attempts to control her children have only made them more resistant to her orders.
The catalyst for Elena’s character development is the arrival of Mia Warren and her daughter Pearl in Shaker Heights. Mia and Pearl’s presence in Elena’s life serves as a reminder of how to live without rules and structure. Elena eventually realizes that her attempts to control her children’s lives tightly have only made them more unhappy (Ng, 2018). Such an approach leads her to loosen her hold and allow her children to make more of their own decisions.
Elena begins to question the structure and expectations she has placed on her family and, eventually, herself. The female starts to understand the importance of acceptance, empathy, and understanding. With the plot, readers see how Elena’s character begins to change. She recognizes that structure and order are not always the best answers and that sometimes it is better to allow her children to make their own choices and learn from their mistakes. As a result, the woman understands that her children are individuals and that her rigid beliefs and expectations are not always the best for them.
The significance of the above-described adopted trait is that it helps Elena to have a deeper connection with her children. She builds a stronger bond with them by allowing them to make their own mistakes and learn from them. Such character alteration also helps her better understand Mia and Pearl. Elena can recognize and appreciate their lifestyle and the value it brings to their lives.
Elena can distract herself from her restrictive and judgmental views and become more understanding and compassionate. This new trait is essential for her to form meaningful relationships with those around her and live a more fulfilling life. With the help of this change in her attitude, Elena ultimately becomes a better version of herself.
Conclusion
Elena Richardson is a dynamic character whose primary trait of rigidity evolves into flexibility and keenness with time. She begins to recognize the importance of allowing her children to make their own decisions and learn from their mistakes. This shift in her character will enable her to build a stronger connection with her children and to appreciate Mia and Pearl’s lifestyle better. Ultimately, this new feature is of great significance as it brings her closer to her family and allows her to understand that all people are different, and it is better to change one’s attitude toward them rather than pressure them to change.
Reference
Ng, C. (2018). Little Fires Everywhere. Abacus.