Body versus Mind

The theme of body versus mind appears in several guises in Girl Walking Backwards: sexuality, mental illness, and even basic appearances. In terms of sexuality, Skye's appearance does not coincide with what those around her consider to be "gay." Her mother often comments on her feminine appearance, as do participants in the Cross the Line workshop. Skye even has sexual experiences with a boy, which would would seemingly contradict her belief that she is not heterosexual. Nevertheless, though Skye's exterior does not coincide with traditional images of lesbians or bisexual women, she does identify herself this way, and her identity remains strong throughout the book, even growing as she ends her relationship with Riley.

Mental illness, embodied by Jessica and Anna in different ways, also shows the difference between interior and exterior. Though on the surface, these women appear in control, with Jessica a popular, pretty...