Anxiety

Olivia’s anxiety is at the forefront of the novel because the author wants the reader to see how crippling it can be. However, it is also clear that anxiety is also something that can be overcome with time and the right help.

First, it is important to establish how severe Olivia’s anxiety is. It becomes something that permeates everything she does. She frequently overthinks decisions and constantly tells Max that she needs “to think about this” (83) no matter what the decision is being made. This is especially true with their relationship, as Olivia feels she does not have the privilege Max does to jump into things. After he tries to get her to tell her story in the community center, she tells him, “I can’t do things like that. I’m a Black woman, I don’t ever get the benefit of the...