Essay Questions

How does Bullwinkel explore the intersection of identity, physicality, and femininity in the story?

This question prompts an examination of how the female boxers negotiate their identities in a traditionally masculine space. The teenage girls face their opponents in the ring and the societal expectations about femininity and strength. Artemis Victor and Andi Taylor grapple with their roles as athletes and girls in a world that judges them based on appearance and emotional resilience. Bullwinkel shows the relationship between the girls' bodies and their sense of self. Artemis’ obsession with her beauty and success highlights how young women are pressured to conform to standards of physical perfection. Andi’s experience brings forth questions of vulnerability and body image, especially as she contemplates the effect boxing has on her body. The juxtaposition of boxing with the girls' internal struggles concerning beauty, self-worth, and validation from others provides an analysis of gender roles and physical identity in modern fiction.

In what ways does the narrative utilize the concept of legacy to define the characters’ motivations and fears?

This narrative delves into the theme of legacy as a source of pride and burden. Artemis Victor’s boxing career is heavily influenced by her family’s legacy as her sisters have achieved significant success in the sport before her. This legacy shapes her expectations, which causes her to internalize a sense of competition with her family. Artemis’ desire to surpass her older sisters highlights the pressure young people feel to live up to family legacies. However, this legacy comes with its complications, particularly in how it limits Artemis’s understanding of her potential. Her fixation on outshining her sister blinds her to other possibilities in life. On the other hand, Andi Taylor has no such family legacy, which allows for an exploration of individual identity but also leaves her feeling isolated. Her internal struggles reflect a personal legacy that weighs heavily on her boxing career.

Examine how the novel subverts the conventional sports narrative by focusing on psychological and emotional stakes rather than just physical ones.

While the novel revolves around boxing, it is less about the mechanics of the sport and more about the inner lives of the girls participating in it. Bullwinkel’s decision to omit dialogue and focus on the girls' internal thoughts creates a narrative that highlights psychological battles over physical confrontations. The emotional weight carried by each girl creates a tension that is far deeper than the sport itself. This subversion of the sports narrative elevates the story beyond a simple story of competition. The novel draws attention to the invisible struggles young women face: their desire for control, self-doubt, and the immense pressure to succeed in both private and public spheres. Artemis’ and Andi’s fights are as much internal as they are external. Thus, it makes the boxing matches metaphorical for their larger battles with identity, trauma, and societal expectations.