Gracefully Grayson

Chapter 10 marks a turning point in Grayson’s character development as she notices that Amelia is drifting away from her. Throughout the chapter, Grayson goes through an emotional journey; she realizes that her isolation makes her feel like she is “disappearing,” a sentiment which she repeats several times. At first, she is upset that Amelia ditched her for Lila the previous Saturday; she then wonders whether any of the other girls will miss her at lunch; and finally, she realizes that, with her grandmother gone, she is “the only person left from [her] Mom’s side of the family” (52).

Grayson’s increasing despair builds up to the moment when she notices a flyer for the school spring play. She states, “[M]y mind shifts back to all the plays I’ve seen, to the spotlight, the deep burgundy velvet curtain and the solid, wooden stage. And to how it might feel to have everyone watching you” (53-54). This prompts the young girl to impulsively sign up for the tryouts.

Finn’s encouragement characterizes him as empathic. Through him, the novel explores the theme of Allyship as Empathy and Support. Finn makes Grayson “smile [...] at the thought of not disappearing again” (58).

Grayson’s audition as Persephone appears to be another impulsive decision that shocks the other characters. However, it was foreshadowed by Grayson and Finn’s conversation, when Finn described Persephone as “a girl who’s about [Grayson’s] age” and the play as “her struggle to return home” (57). These details help Grayson identify with Persephone, as Grayson is also a young girl who is struggling to find her place in the world. In contrast to how she felt like a “ghost” earlier, the audition leaves Grayson feeling like “it’s the first time [her] feet have touched the earth” (68).

Grayson also feels encouraged to read for Persephone by an abstract memory of her mother: “And the faraway shadow of a hand from another lifetime has slowly rested itself upon my shoulder, like an echo” (66). This foreshadows the revelation that Lindy supported her daughter unconditionally, which we learn through her writing: “Grayson is who he is. If he continues to insist that he’s a girl, then it’s our job to support him” (88).

The novel transitions to Part 2 after Grayson’s audition, which signals that the audition is a turning point in her character arc. Whereas Part 1 revolves around Grayson’s increasing feeling that she is disappearing, Part 2 shows her acting to regain control of her life. In Chapter 14, for instance, she decides to give Amelia a second chance. She also tries on a skirt for the first time. The skirt reminds her of Persephone, which enables her to symbolically keep a safe distance from the act. However, Amelia’s confused and fearful reaction reminds Grayson of the risks of revealing her identity. It also sets up Amelia as a foil to Paige, or a character who illuminates another character through contrasting traits. Unlike Amelia, Paige later reacts to seeing Grayson wear girls’ clothing in a much more accepting and protective way.

Grayson receives her mother’s letters in Chapter 15. Her parents’ love and validation provide a stark contrast with Amelia’s negative reaction, and explores the theme of Allyship as Empathy and Support. In addition, the symbolism of Lindy’s phoenix painting plays heavily into Grayson’s emotional journey. The painting symbolizes Lindy’s love for Grayson, and represents a mythical bird that can be reborn from its ashes. The phoenix alludes to the mythological aspect of the story of Persephone, who is reborn from Hades every year and returns to the Earth’s surface. Both the story of the phoenix and Persephone parallel Grayson’s self-discovery. Persephone’s return from the Underworld and Grayson’s embracing of her female identity are both rebirths. Grayson is also changed once she learns that her parents accepted her as she was. This leads her to question her aunt and uncle to understand her history in Chapter 18, which shows that she is becoming more assertive and confident in her identity.