Firegirl

Comics and superpowers are motifs that appear throughout the novel. Tom’s imaginary world is largely inspired by the comic books he and Jeff share. Comics inform Tom’s sense of self and his idea of who he wants to be. Tom envisions himself as a superhero, albeit one with odd, limited powers which better suit a regular person like himself. Tom, however, uses his powers for his own benefit: to win Courtney. When Jessica points out that superheroes typically help others, Tom is initially resentful. By the novel’s end, however, Tom’s sense of self has changed. Although he still sticks to small powers, he contemplates someday using them for the greater good, showing how Jessica’s influence helped Tom engage more with the real world, and “get out there.”

The comic, The Human Torch, illustrates Jeff’s cringeworthy callousness and his dislike of Jessica. The Batmobile’s immolation and Jessica’s injuries make Jeff search for The Human Torch, one of his father’s old comics. The Human Torch is Marvel’s first superhero, debuting in Marvel Comic #1 in October 1939. The Human Torch was originally an android named Jim Hammond who was able to harness the powers of fire and who appears as a flaming human figure. The character changed in 1961, when teenager Jonathan Storm gained fiery superpowers and became the Human Torch and one of the Fantastic Four. Jeff’s interest in this superhero is not complementary to Jessica. Instead, it demonstrates his perception of her as inhuman. Tom, in contrast, is grateful that Jessica did not see the full title of this comic sticking out of his backpack which shows Tom’s compassion and the fact that he does see Jessica as a person.

Tom mentions his desire for things to be back to “normal” several times during the novel. This motif of normalcy informs the theme of accepting differences. Jessica represents the opposite of normal in Tom’s class; the abnormal, or undesirably different. Jessica alters the class dynamic in a negative way, causing fear, discomfort, and even hatred, as demonstrated by Jeff. Jessica is perceived as an outsider to the community. The class largely responds to the perceived threat of Jessica’s presence by excluding her. Some students exclude Jessica by ignoring her and not engaging with her. Others, like Jeff, campaign to increase her “otherness” by stressing her physical difference while emphasizing their own group normality. Their reaction is human nature, but especially ironic, given that they are in a Christian school, whose teachings should promote the importance of inclusion: “Therefore welcome one another, as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God” (Romans 15:7).

Normalcy, the absence of abnormality, becomes a positive for the class. When Jessica is not there, Tom and the others relax. Jessica’s presence is a “heavy weight” that lifts when she moves away. Jessica is painfully aware of the friction she causes, telling Tom when she is leaving that “You can get back to normal in school now” (133). The class’s desire for normalcy precludes accepting Jessica’s difference. Tom understands, however, that if Jessica is integrated into the community through the election, she will no longer be an outsider, and, “We would all get over the problems about her being burned and different […]” (123). Empathetic Tom is one of the few who tries to include Jessica and believes that Jessica could become a part of a new class normal.