Obsession

Each of the characters in Tangerine desires something to the point of extreme obsession, to the point that they become consumed by their own jealousy and fixation. This uniform fatal flaw is responsible for the all of the central conflicts in the novel, as when these powerful drives often come up against one another, emotional and even physical violence inevitably follows. Most characters, like Lucy, openly embrace their obsessions, regarding them as honorable and stemming from noble intentions. Only Alice is able to see the way in which her jealousy is unhealthy, though ultimately, she is not able to overcome her toxic desire in time to save herself.

When Lucy first meets Alice, she is immediately attracted to her, and this attraction soon develops into an all-consuming, possessive love that refuses to die even in the face of clear rejection. Lucy believes that her relationship with...