Imogen, Obviously Chapter 40: Packing, Perceptions, and Liquid 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

Imogen packs an oversized suitcase for Lili’s one-night trip, and Edith intervenes to help her organize the essentials. During packing, Edith remarks that Gretchen tends to stir up conflict and then smooths things over with gifts, referencing the earlier incident involving Otávio and the Salvation Army. Imogen defends Gretchen as someone who pushes others to be better allies. The conversation triggers Imogen’s memory of Gretchen’s pointed question about whether she wants to sleep with Tessa—a question Imogen still cannot answer. Later, Lili picks Imogen up. Lili jokes about being replaced by Tessa or Gretchen, and Imogen laughs it off but inwardly wrestles with the dynamic she has with Gretchen. She realizes that she often molds herself to fit what others expect of her, comparing herself to a liquid that takes the shape of its container.

Key Events

Edith helps Imogen downsize her suitcase for a one-night trip, removing unnecessary cardigans.
Edith comments that Gretchen instigates drama and then compensates with gifts, not just with the Kara Clapstone situation but with Imogen as well.
Imogen defends Gretchen’s intensity, saying she challenges them to be better allies.
Imogen mentally revisits Gretchen’s earlier question about her feelings for Tessa, realizing she still has no clear answer.
Lili picks up Imogen and teases her about growing close to Tessa and possibly replacing her as a best friend.
Imogen internally reflects on her tendency to shape-shift her personality to match others’ expectations, specifically within her friendship with Gretchen.

Character Development

Imogen: Shows growing self-awareness about her own pliability. She articulates her feeling of being “liquid,” which is a major step in her journey toward understanding her identity and desires—not just in terms of sexuality but in her social interactions.
Edith: Reveals a more nuanced view of Gretchen. While she loves Gretchen, she acknowledges that Gretchen’s tendency to lecture and then gift-giving can be manipulative. This offers Imogen an alternative perspective on a friend she admires.
Gretchen (referenced): Remains a figure of influence whose probing questions and moral intensity shape Imogen’s behavior, even when Imogen is not fully comfortable.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Liquid Identity: Imogen’s metaphor of being “more liquid than most people” captures a central theme of the novel: the struggle to maintain a stable sense of self when constantly adapting to others. The image of water taking the shape of its container recurs as a symbol of losing oneself.
Packing as a Metaphor: The debate over what to pack—cardigans vs. essentials—mirrors Imogen’s internal debate about what to keep and what to let go of in her personality. Edith’s intervention suggests that Imogen needs to shed unnecessary layers (behaviors) that do not serve her.
Allyship and Authenticity: The conversation about Gretchen’s intensity raises questions about what it truly means to be a good ally. Imogen initially accepts Gretchen’s framework, but Edith’s comment that “it’s not always so black and white” hints that mature allyship also requires critical thinking and personal authenticity.

Why This Chapter Matters

Chapter 40 marks a turning point in Imogen’s internal arc. It is the first time she explicitly names her habit of contorting herself to fit Gretchen’s version of her. The metaphor of liquid identity gives the reader a concrete lens for her earlier confusion about her feelings for Tessa. By placing Edith’s gentle critique alongside Lili’s playful jealousy, the chapter shows that multiple people in Imogen’s life see her bending too much. This sets up a crucial decision: will Imogen continue to let others mold her, or will she begin to claim her own shape?

Study Questions and Answers

What does Imogen mean when she says she is “more liquid than most people,” and how does this relate to her friendship with Gretchen?
Imogen means she easily adapts her personality to match the expectations of the person she is with. In her friendship with Gretchen, she feels there is a specific version of herself that Gretchen expects, and Imogen works hard to stay within that mold. This liquid tendency explains why she has not yet figured out her own feelings about Tessa—because she has been prioritizing what Gretchen would approve of.
How does Edith’s view of Gretchen differ from Imogen’s, and what does this reveal about the two friendships?
Edith loves Gretchen but sees her as someone who “stirs shit up” and then buys her way back into favor. Imogen, by contrast, nearly always defends Gretchen’s motives, framing her intensity as a challenge to be a better ally. The difference shows that Imogen is still idealizing Gretchen, while Edith has a more balanced, grounded perspective. This sets up a potential conflict in which Imogen must decide whether to adopt Edith’s more critical eye.
Why does Imogen have trouble answering Gretchen’s question about wanting to sleep with Tessa? What does the chapter suggest about Imogen’s self-knowledge?
Imogen cannot answer because she has never allowed herself to honestly examine her own attractions—she has been too busy matching what she thinks Gretchen expects. The chapter suggests that Imogen’s liquid identity has prevented her from developing a clear sense of her own desires. Her inability to answer points to a deep lack of self-knowledge that she must overcome to live authentically.