👁️The novel exposes the effects of self-loathing on individuals, particularly children, and their development of identity.
💔Love is depicted as messy, dangerous, and often blurred with abuse and exploitation in the novel.
🌼Flowers symbolize a lack of growth and opportunity in the African-American community due to racial oppression.
🎞️Movie stars represent unattainable standards of beauty that African-American girls strive for but can never truly achieve.
✨The construction of beauty is explored, highlighting the damaging effects of societal perceptions of beauty on individuals' self-worth.