The School Story

Natalie’s author persona, Cassandra Day, is a symbol of Natalie’s confidence. When Cassandra Day is alive and present, Natalie feels comfortable and confident in herself. However, when Natalie loses motivation and confidence in herself, her writing, or Zoe’s plan, the narrative indicates that through the state of Cassandra Day.

After establishing Cassandra Day as her author persona in Chapter 5, Natalie begins to think more about Zoe’s plan and talks herself out of it. She wonders, “what if other people thought the book was really bad?” (30). Natalie calls Zoe to tell her the plan is off. Zoe asks to speak to Cassandra Day, to which Natalie replies, “Give it up, Zoe. Cassandra Day is dead” (32). Natalie’s confidence in the plan is completely gone, and she represents that feeling through the “death” of Cassandra Day.

However, Zoe continues to demand that Cassandra Day be put on the phone, so Natalie reluctantly obliges. Zoe gives “Cassandra” a pep talk, telling her, “One day your grandchildren are going to read all the books you’ve written. And we are going to get this first one published, okay?” (33). After Zoe’s motivational speech, “Cassandra Day was still alive, but she wasn’t exactly in tip-top shape” (35).