Imogen, Obviously Chapter 39: Questioning Identity

⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.

Summary

Gretchen finds Imogen texting Tessa and teases her about smiling. Imogen admits Tessa is cute and begins to question whether she is truly straight. Gretchen jokes at first but then tries to help Imogen clarify her feelings. When Gretchen asks if Imogen wants to have sex with Tessa, Imogen answers that she hasn't thought about it. Gretchen interprets this as proof that Imogen is straight, causing Imogen to feel frustrated and invalidated. Imogen makes an excuse to leave the room, despite Gretchen's efforts to reassure her that being straight is okay.

Key Events

Gretchen catches Imogen texting Tessa and notices her smile.
Imogen hesitantly describes Tessa as “cute” and admits she might not be “fully straight.”
Gretchen offers the “Ruby Rose effect” as an explanation, implying straight girls often crush on Tessa.
Imogen confesses she might have a crush on Tessa but feels uncertain about her attraction.
Gretchen asks if Imogen wants to sleep with Tessa—Imogen says she hasn't considered it.
Gretchen concludes that Imogen's lack of sexual desire means she must be straight.
Imogen feels upset by this binary framing and leaves the room, claiming she needs to help Edith.

Character Development

Imogen: Begins to move away from a previously unquestioned straight identity. She acknowledges the possibility of being attracted to a girl, but struggles with uncertainty and internalized biphobia. Her reaction to Gretchen's advice shows that she wants space to explore rather than a quick label.
Gretchen: Portrayed as supportive but limited in her understanding of sexuality. She uses humor and tries to comfort Imogen, yet her framework relies on a reductive sex-or-no-sex test. She means well but fails to validate Imogen's nuanced feelings.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Compulsory heterosexuality: Imogen's confusion reflects how societal expectations can make it hard to recognize same‑sex attraction. Gretchen's "Ruby Rose effect" perpetuates the idea that straight girls can safely admire queer women without it meaning anything.
The pressure to label: The conversation pressures Imogen to decide whether she is straight or not, ignoring the possibility of bisexuality or fluidity. Gretchen's test reinforces a binary view.
Internalized biphobia: Imogen feels ashamed and uncertain—she worries she would be “awful” at sex with Tessa, and she cries when told she has her answer. These responses hint at fear of not fitting in or of being seen as “less queer.”

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter marks a turning point in Imogen's self‑awareness. It is the first time she openly admits to another person that she might not be straight. The conversation with Gretchen, though flawed, pushes Imogen to confront her feelings head‑on. The chapter sets up the central internal conflict that will drive the rest of the book: Imogen must learn to trust her own experiences rather than others’ definitions of attraction.

Study Questions and Answers

Question: Why does Gretchen's “sex test” frustrate Imogen? Answer: The test reduces attraction to a single, sexual criterion. Imogen feels erased because she hasn't considered sex yet but does feel a romantic or emotional pull toward Tessa. She also senses that Gretchen's assumption—that not wanting sex means she is straight—closes the door to further exploration.
Question: What does the term “Ruby Rose effect” reveal about Gretchen's assumptions? Answer: It shows that Gretchen believes certain queer people can attract straight women without those women actually being queer. This dismisses the validity of Imogen's feelings and reinforces the idea that same‑sex crushes are just a phase or a celebrity crush.
Question: How does Imogen's reaction to Gretchen's comfort—saying she is “fine” and leaving—foreshadow future character growth? Answer: Imogen's quick exit and forced smile indicate she is not ready to accept Gretchen's simplistic answer. This resistance hints that she will continue questioning her identity, eventually seeking more nuanced understanding from people who will not impose a label on her.