blog 2

The second half of the book has made me think of how Carmen and Laura from the Brick are so similar in character and both capable of been the masterminds behind both murders. They both have the same aurora around them. That being beautiful and at the same time being manipulative towards the main male characters.

Both characters in the book are seen to be young and beautiful and at the same time very naive and helpless. However both have the persona about them to be young and restless and been involved in the wrong crowd. For example, Carmen seems to have been involved with lots of young men and at the same time throws herself at them. Whereas Laura is not so forward with the male characters but can show her sweet side to everyone as seen by her relationship with Brandon. Even though there are some differences between the ways they interact with men, the notion that they are involved in the wrong crowd is there. Carmen has entered the world of smut books as seen by the naked pictures taken of her and Laura is known to be involved with a drug dealing community.

Expanding on my thought of how they interact with the male characters there are certain similarities and differences, but ultimately they both fall for the male character in different situations but perhaps for the same reason. Laura keeps her distance from Brandon from the beginning, however as the story continues she makes a move on him and is successful when he is physically hurt and emotionally down. Where Carmen is seen making a move on Marlow from the opening scene and continues this agenda throughout the book without hesitation. This leads to the question that could Carmen be involved in the death of Mr. Regan and show how both female characters, not appease there female stereotypes, as once perceived.

Pranav Shankla