Content Warning: This section contains graphic depictions of cannibalism and violence.

For most of the novel, Maren hates herself. She defines herself solely through her behavior—“the bad thing”—rather than acknowledging any good qualities in herself. She overcomes several hurdles throughout the narrative that finally set her on a path to accepting her true self and her ability to grow in spite of her urges.

Maren’s attempts to simply be different don’t work: “It was never a matter of trying hard enough to be good” (41). For a while, her mother tries to remedy her negative self-image: “My mother was kind to me. She never said things like what you did or what you are” (3). However, after Janelle abandons her, Maren finds it even harder to accept herself. At that time, she is unable to see that Janelle could accept her, just not the consequences of her behavior.

Throughout much of the novel, Maren can only tell the worst story about herself that she can think of—the story in which she is an irredeemable monster. Sully reinforces this idea when he tells her, “That’s how stories start. We tell ‘em about ourselves like they ain’t true, ‘cause that’s the only way anybody’s gonna believe us” (82).