60 pages • 2-hour read
After
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Symbols & Motifs
Appearance
A motif throughout the novel, physical appearances contribute to the reader’s impression of characters, differences between characters, and the changes that occur in characters’ identities. Tessa, her mother, and Noah all have a similar style, reflected in their reserved, clean-cut clothing choices. Tessa wears minimal makeup, and her clothes are modest. On the other hand, Hardin, Steph, and their friends draw attention to themselves with their appearance. They all have multiple tattoos and piercings, and Steph wears heavy makeup and provocative clothing. Although Hardin’s clothing choices are simple—dark skinny jeans and a white or black t-shirt, his tattoos and clothing style reflect his “bad boy” aura and intrigue Tessa from the first moment they meet. Hardin’s appearance, particularly his many tattoos, also contribute to the mysteries surroundings his past. Tessa wonders on several occasions what all his tattoos mean and is surprised to find a heart tattoo and flower tattoo that seem to contradict his tough exterior.
Todd also uses outward appearances to reflect the inward changes characters experience. For instance, after having sex with Hardin for the first time, Tessa looks at herself in a mirror and sees a different woman. Her cheeks are flushed, and there’s a new wildness in her eyes. Tessa also becomes more confident in her appearance, seeing herself as sexy because that’s the way Hardin sees her. Tessa’s relationship with Hardin changes her inwardly, and her physical appearance alters to reflect her new identity. Todd’s use of the appearance motif highlights contrasts between Tessa’s life before and after meeting Hardin. Todd shows the differences between them as well as the way Tessa changed because of Hardin.
Alcohol
Despite both Tessa’s and Hardin’s claims that they don’t drink, their consumption of alcohol is a significant contributor to the plot events which lead to and deepen their relationship. For example, Tessa is drunk when she kisses Hardin for the first time. Furthermore, she chooses to leave Noah to go help Hardin, who is drunk and aggressively angry, at his father’s house. Hardin shows up drunk at Tessa’s dorm room more than once, including the night they first have sex. All of these significant plot events are driven by irresponsible alcohol consumption. Beyond directing plot events, the alcohol motif highlights one major similarity between Tessa and Hardin: both of their fathers were alcoholics. Based on comments from Hardin and Gammy, Todd suggests that Hardin also has an alcohol problem. Tessa’s thoughts contribute to this notion as well when she realizes Hardin only seems to get drunk for a reason. He drinks when he’s angry or dealing with family issues, such as after his dad told him about his impending marriage to Karen. Hardin also has an aggressive and, at times, violent streak while drunk, which furthers the idea that he has a drinking problem, or at least a history of issues with alcohol.
Hardin’s Words
Throughout the novel, Tessa is both embarrassed and turned on by Hardin’s dirty mouth. He talks about sex in explicit terms, whereas Tessa can hardly think about sexual words, let alone say them. Hardin’s sexual talk symbolizes the stark contrast between his sexual background and Tessa’s. Whereas Tessa has no previous sexual experience other than making out with Noah, Hardin seems to have had sex with a different girl every weekend. Ironically, Tessa hates the fact that he’s slept with so many girls, yet she loves the sexual pleasure he gives her. However, he obviously wouldn’t know how to give her so much sexual pleasure without his extensive experience. Tessa’s reactions to his dirty talk mirrors this idea. She is both embarrassed and aroused by his sexy words, just as she is both hurt and satiated by his sexual know-how.
Literature
Todd uses characters from various works of classic literature to parallel Tessa and Hardin’s relationship. One commonality Tessa and Hardin share is their love for literature. In their literature class, Tessa and Hardin discuss both Pride and Prejudice and Wuthering Heights. Both works of British literature involve characters in tumultuous romantic relationships, such as Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice and Catherine and Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights. Each of these literary couples serves as a parallel for Tessa and Hardin, and Todd uses their discussions in literature class to highlight similarities among them. Furthermore, Tessa compares herself to Miss Havisham from Great Expectations, as she realizes that love can make a person do crazy things. This acknowledgement relates to the changes in Tessa’s character due to Hardin’s influence.
Secrets
Todd uses secrecy as a motif in the novel to create mystery surrounding Hardin’s character and to show the ultimate destruction secrets cause. Hardin keeps secrets about his family and his past from his friends, and he only reveals information about his childhood to Tessa in bits and pieces. He never explains why he got into a fight with Dan or why he feels so threatened by Jace. In fact, many secrets about Hardin are never explained in the novel, leaving the reader to wonder about his past and to question his true character. Finally, the novel’s climax depends on the revealing of the novel’s biggest secret: Hardin’s bet with Zed over who could take Tessa’s virginity first. Tension builds towards the end of the novel as Tessa knows Hardin is keeping secrets from her, and the reader’s opinion of Hardin is challenged by the novel’s cliffhanger ending. Todd’s use of the secrecy motif builds suspense that draws the reader in, as well as complicates the reader’s understanding of Hardin.
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