Little Fires Everywhere is a novel about the “little fires” that take place in Shaker Heights. At the start of the book, a single mother, Mia, and her daughter, Pearl, start their new life by moving to Shaker. Shaker is a place where rules are followed and everyone conforms. The organized qualities of Shaker are represented by the Richardson family, specifically the mother, Elena. Throughout the novel, Mia and Pearl settle into Shaker thanks to the help of the Richardson family. However, little conflicts, caused by the characters breaking societal rules, spark and cause disruption to the perfect Shaker community. The novel ends with all of the “little fires” igniting, resulting in Mia and Pearl leaving Shaker, and one of the Richardson children, …show more content…
This “fire” isn’t introduced until chapter six when the oldest Richardson, Lexie, and Pearl go to a Halloween party together. This party is used to show the rebellious teenage life of Lexie. Lexie is a character who is confident and alluring; Pearl looks up to her because of this. So, when Lexie and her boyfriend, Brian, leave the party to have an intercourse, Lexie breaks a “rule” of Shaker: teenage sex, especially pregnancy, is shunned upon. Lexie and Brian's closeness results in Lexie’s teenage pregnancy. The author uses Lexie’s pregnancy to depict how pregnancy can change someone. While pregnant, Lexie is in conflict with herself. She dreams of having a future with Brian, however, she knows she cannot go to college and keep the baby. Lexie also doesn’t want her mother, Elena, to find out because she will judge her imperfection. So, Lexie chooses to get abortion registered at Pearl’s. After the abortion, however, Lexie’s character is changed. Rather than confidence, Lexie shows vulnerability to characters like Mia and Pearl. Rather than her opinionated comments, Lexie seeks validation from Mia. These qualities are in opposition to how Lexie acted before pregnancy. This “fire” also shows conflicts with society. Brian and Lexie break up, and Elena finds out about the abortion, although done in Pearl's name, and shuns a teen for being so careless. I believe Lexie made the right choice for her life. By