Not Quite Herself: Isobel's Self-Imposed Limitations Elise Kiernan 12th Grade

“I thought I could make my life into a room and choose what came into it.”

While influenced by others at times, one’s life is impacted the most by the choices they make and whether or not they decide to grapple the opportunities they are presented with. Amy Witting’s novel “I for Isobel” explores this idea through the protagonist Isobel, who reflects that she “thought [she] could make [her] life into a room and choose what came into it”, suggesting that she doesn’t believe she has any power over her destiny and that her fate is predetermined. It is undeniable that Isobel experiences a harrowing childhood. Her mother’s hatred is commonplace and has a devastating impact on her life, however ultimately Isobel is not beyond criticism for how her life unfolds. Isobel has multiple opportunities to lead herself in a positive direction, such as the times when she is shown kindness by others. Nevertheless by playing the victim, she only puts herself at more of a social disadvantage when trying to form and keep relationships. Isobel’s lack of happiness and challenge to discover herself in the novel, is due to multiple factors, including her upbringing, her faith in religion, fate and literature. Yet, ultimately it is her unwillingness...