A Traumatic Childhood Takes its Toll

A Traumatic Childhood Takes its Toll

By: Shelby Bagby

While it’s easy to label Sookie as judgmental and disapproving of the other women in this novel, it is important that the reader have some empathy for her, a victim of sexual abuse. How should one cope with being sexually abused by a close family member? Is there really a perfect way?

Of course, there is no perfect way to react losing both your parents in a flash flood and being sexually abused by your uncle. However, given the comments stated during class, it is evident that most of the class does have an opinion about her behavior. Sookie has definitely found her own way of coping with her horrendous childhood, but unfortunately, she has found a negative outlet: she slut-shames. She’s relentless as she calls out the imperfections of others and their choices. I can almost picture Sookie’s disgusting glance toward Diane as she tells the reader that she “could count her pubic hairs if [she] so desired” as a result of her form-fitted clothing (162). Perhaps Sookie’s shaming of other women can be seen as the defense mechanism, projection, or putting unwanted feelings and emotions onto others. It’s possible that Sookie has a low self-esteem due to the relationship that she had with her uncle, and the way that she deals with that issue is by putting those negative thoughts onto others. She might think her own wardrobe is too tight, so instead of dealing with those thoughts, she harps on Denise for wearing “short shorts,” negatively commenting that “Denise wasn’t truly pretty, but she was so flashy and confident that it took a while to figure that out” (4). Maybe Sookie feels that way about herself. Maybe she believes that she lacks confidence, isn’t that pretty, and her own clothes are too tight. As a result, when she sees Denise with all the confidence in the world, she tears her down: a mix of projection (clothing) and jealousy (confidence).

Her lack of self-confidence could also be what leads her into a heated relationship with Bill, the new town vampire who is mainstreaming into society. Despite knowing that vampires are known for their “sexual potency,” she immediately recognizes when he crosses a line when he tells her that “there’s a juicy artery in [her] groin” (13). She shuts down his risqué comments quickly: “Don’t you talk dirty…I won’t listen to that” (13). However, once she becomes committed to Bill and their relationship physically advances, she finds herself in a grey area. She knows that she “[doesn’t] want to disappoint [him] sexually” but she also knows when she’s had enough (154). After Bill tries to heal Sookie with his blood, she tries to end the intense moment with a simple “Thanks” (156). Apparently, Bill did not understand what Sookie was trying to communicate or refused to acknowledge her lack of interest, because “he didn’t remove his finger” (156). Why does the reader not empathize with Sookie when it appears that Bill is not acting in accord with Sookie’s consent, or lack thereof?

If the reader calls Sookie judgmental, doesn’t that make the reader judgmental? I agree that Sookie’s methods for dealing with her past are not admirable: she’s jealous of other women, shines a negative light on their imperfections, and projects her feelings onto others. However, if the reader were to judge Sookie for acting that way, the reader wouldn’t be much better than Sookie.