Determined: The act of coming to a decision or solution, or settling a purpose. Two synonyms include; compulsive, driven. Two antonyms include; undetermined, careless.
Selfish: Devoted to or caring only for one's self, concerned primarily with one's own interests, benefits, etc., regardless of others. Two synonyms include; self seeking, greedy. Two antonyms include; caring, generous.
Confused: To perplex or bewilder, and be unclear or indistinct of a certain situation. Two synonyms include; puzzled, unsure. Two Antonyms include; understanding, clear.
Determined- Spencer shows determination throughout this novel in many ways. The author shows Spencer's determinative personality throughout the book both directly, and indirectly. An example of how Sara Shepard indirectly shows Spencer's drive is expressed through this quotation from the book: "Spencer couldn't believe that she and her friends were yet again faced with the task of figuring out who A might be, but she had her mind made up to stop them before they ruined their lives for good."(Shepard, Ruthless 30) This quotation from the book reveals Spencer's willingness to solve the situation she is in. The author also reveals Spencer's compulsive personality throughout other situations in the book. For example, she is also determined about getting into Princeton University. She knows that she has to work very hard in order to pull her marks up and be accepted, but she is willing to do whatever it takes to get in. Secondly, she shows determination to finding out who "A" is, and why they are sending her, Aria, Emily, and Hanna threatening messages. Another way Spencer is determined is by not letting her older sister, Melissa, get all the attention. Ever since Spencer was little her sister seemed to be the centre of attention, and Spencer is doing everything she can to please her parents and make them proud of her as well.
Selfish- Spencer shows selfishness at the beginning of "Ruthless" while she is in jail. Instead of taking the blame for selling pills with her friend Kelsey, Spencer calls Hanna while the police leave the room and gets Hanna to go to Kelsey's apartment and place pills under her pillow. The police find the pills in Kelsey's room, and Spencer tells them that it was all Kelsey and she had nothing to do with it. Sara Shepard reveals Spencer's self-seeking personality both indirectly and directly. An example of how the author reveals Spencer's selfishness is shown in the following statement: "her decision was a good one. She had to look out for herself. And with Hanna on her way, She'd get away with this scot-free."(Shepard, Ruthless 13) This section of the book directly states that spencer is satisfied with her decision of only lookng out for herself. Spencer is only worried about herself, because she doesn't want to go to juvie, or else she won't be able to go to University and her entire life will be ruined. Instead of taking responsibility for her actions, she blames the whole situation on Kelsey, and she gets away with it.
Confused- Spencer shows confusion in a few ways. First, she thinks that this boy named Zach really likes her, they spend a lot of time together and he flirts with her non-stop. One day when Spencer decided to kiss Zach, he pulls away. Spencer is confused and asks him what's wrong, and this is when he admits to Spencer that is is gay. Also, Spencer is of course confused about who is sending her and her friends threatening messages about secrets only one person knew about; her dead friend Alison. Lastly, Spencer is confused when she receives a letter from Princeton, the university that finally accepted her last month. The letter states that there has been a mistake, and that she might not be attending Stanford this year. "Spencer read over the letter three times until the school's crest at the top of the page looked like a Rorschach blob. This couldn't be right. She had gotten into Princeton. This was done. Two minutes ago, her future was secure. Now she was poised to lose it all." (Shepard, Ruthless 34) This quotation from the book reveals Spencer's unsureness about what is happening in an indirect way. The author doesn't specifically say that she is confused, but by the way the author explains the way Spencer is feeling, we are able to determine and relate to Spencer's puzzled thoughts. Spencer is confused because she was so happy that she got accepted after all her hard work and dedication, so how could this be happening to her?
