Essay Questions

How does Ellen Hopkins explore the theme of sexual abuse in the novel Identical?

Throughout the novel, Ellen Hopkins narrates how Kaeleigh’s father abuses her in the presence of her twin sister. The father is separated from his wife, and he fills his love gap by sexually abusing his daughter. Kaeleigh starts to experience sexual abuse at age ten, and she assumes it is okay because she pleasures her father. Consequently, the author shows how fathers take advantage of their female daughters in the absence of their mothers.

What compels Raeanne to become a drug addict?

Raeanne feels jealous when she realizes that her father does not give her as much attention as he does to her twin sister, Kaeleigh. Raeanne thinks she is ugly, so her father does not find her sexy. Therefore, Raeanne feels neglected and decides to look for something to keep herself preoccupied. As a result, Raeanne uses marijuana and other addictive drugs. In some instances, Raeanne trades sex for drugs because she does not get the money she needs from her father.

How does the author illustrate that improper parenting can lead to broken families?

The novel is about a disintegrated family because the parents live separately, pursuing their selfish interests instead of bonding with their children. Despite the parents being professionals in their fields, they have failed to bond with their children. The mother and father are living separately, pursuing different interests. The mother is a politician in a different state, and the father abuses his twin daughters. Raeanne and her twin sister Kaeleigh experience neglect and abuse from their father. The twins never experience love from their parents, forcing them to pursue their interests, leading them to drug addiction, sex, and alcoholism.