Julie Chan Is Dead

“I—someone born from the same womb, formed from the same clump of cells—had failed everywhere she hadn’t.”

This quotation captures the dynamic of jealousy and competition that exists between Julie and Chloe. Because they are identical twins, Julie cannot resist comparing the outcomes of their lives, and she becomes consumed with self-loathing when she thinks of what Chloe has achieved. This quotation sets the stage for the toxic dynamic between the two young women.

“Chloe is my vice. I’m addicted to the way I grow hateful. Crave how it fills me with vitriol.”

This quotation describes the negative emotions that unfold when Julie consumes Chloe’s social media content. Julie is self-aware enough to know that it is bad for her to look at this content, but she also cannot resist doing so. This awareness mirrors the addictive nature of influencers and social media in general: These platforms are engineered to make them difficult to resist even though they tend to foster negative self-perceptions.

“Isn’t this karmic justice unfolding before me? Reparations for my hardships in the shape of a new glittery, influencer life?”

This quotation captures Julie’s self-justifying rationale as she decides whether to assume Chloe’s identity. Julie knows that what she is doing is wrong, but she finds a way to argue that she deserves it. The quotation develops Julie’s character by revealing her tendency to always cast herself in a favorable light and refuse to accept any responsibility or blame.