49 pages • 1-hour read
Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me
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Symbols & Motifs
Cycles and Dancing
Content Warning: The source text and this guide describe psychological manipulation and a sexual relationship between an adult man and a minor.
The motif of cycles and dancing is prominently featured throughout the novel, serving as a powerful metaphor for the repetitive, often unhealthy patterns that characterize Freddy’s relationship with Laura. The book’s narrative structure itself reflects this cyclical nature, beginning and ending with two school dances that highlight the transformative journey Freddy undergoes between them.
In the opening scene, Freddy attends a Valentine’s Day dance with her friends, eager to share a romantic moment with her girlfriend, Laura. However, when Laura disappears and Freddy later finds her kissing another girl, Freddy is left heartbroken and alone, her hopes for the evening shattered. This sets the stage for her tumultuous, on-again, off-again relationship with Laura, during which Freddy is caught up in a seemingly endless cycle of breakups and reconciliations.
The motif of dancing takes on a deeper significance when Freddy reveals that she and Laura first met and fell in love while square dancing in gym class. This connection between their relationship and the structured, repetitive nature of square dancing is further emphasized by the Seek-Her, who warns Freddy that she is “stuck in some non-monogamous swing-your-partner wormhole” (70). The Seek-Her’s advice to Freddy, urging her to “leave the circle” and break free from the toxic cycle of her relationship with Laura (70), becomes a central theme of the book.
Throughout the narrative, the motif of cycles and dancing serves to underscore the emotional toll of Freddy’s relationship with Laura, as well as the challenges she faces in breaking free from the pattern of manipulation and heartbreak. The recurring imagery of dances, with their associated rituals and expectations, also highlights the societal pressures and norms that can make it difficult for young people, particularly those in the LGBTQ+ community, to navigate the complexities of love and relationships.
However, the book’s final dance scene, which is set at the high school prom, offers a powerful contrast to the opening Valentine’s dance, demonstrating the growth and self-discovery that Freddy has experienced. No longer defined by her relationship with Laura or the validation she seeks from others, Freddy is able to enjoy the dance on her own terms, celebrating her friendships and her newfound sense of self. This shift reflects the breaking of the toxic cycle and the emergence of a more authentic, empowered Freddy.
Nature
Nature is used to symbolize the complex, often overwhelming emotions and experiences that Freddy encounters as she navigates her tumultuous relationship with Laura. Throughout the book, natural imagery, particularly that of dense, tangled foliage and sharp, threatening plants, serves to evoke a sense of entrapment, danger, and emotional turmoil.
One of the most striking examples of this motif appears on Page 79, as Laura attempts to reel Freddy back in after being unfaithful. A panel shows an extreme close-up of Freddy’s face, her mouth omitted from the frame, juxtaposed with an image of dense, tropical foliage. Freddy’s disembodied speech balloon, floating above the leaves, reads, “Yes. I would be...free” (79). This juxtaposition suggests that as Freddy is drawn back into Laura’s orbit, she becomes lost in the metaphorical jungle of their relationship, her own voice and agency obscured by the tangled, overwhelming nature of their bond.
Similarly, on Page 142, as Freddy arrives at Laura’s house expecting an intimate evening together, she is depicted standing before a large, imposing doorway, hemmed in on all sides by silhouetted plants with jagged, threatening leaves. This imagery creates a sense of foreboding and entrapment, foreshadowing the emotional challenges Freddy will face as she becomes further ensnared in the complexities of her relationship with Laura.
However, nature is not always used to convey negative or threatening experiences. On Page 27, as Freddy grapples with the pain of being dumped by Laura, she is shown walking along a sidewalk lined with blooming, pink succulents. The accompanying text, presented as an email to Anna Vice, reads: “The hardest part of all this […] is that I’m always losing a person who was just there. Like she’s gone, but she’s not gone. I can still smell her deodorant on my sheets” (27). In this instance, the vibrant, thriving plants serve as a counterpoint to Freddy’s emotional state, suggesting the potential for growth and resilience even in the face of heartbreak.
Toys
The motif of toys serves as a recurring symbol of childhood and friendship. Throughout the book, toys are used to represent the deep, genuine connection between Freddy and her best friend, Doodle, as well as to contrast the purity and simplicity of their bond with the more complicated, adult issues that they encounter as they navigate the challenges of adolescence. The two girls enjoy engaging in creative, imaginative play, making new toys out of old, broken, or discarded objects. This shared activity not only highlights their artistic spirit and resourcefulness but also underscores the intimacy and trust that defines their relationship. By rescuing and repurposing these unloved items, Freddy and Doodle create a world of their own that offers a refuge from the complexities and heartbreaks of the outside world.
Toys also serve to symbolize the innocence and purity of childhood, often juxtaposed with the more mature, sometimes troubling experiences that Freddy and Doodle face as they grow older. This contrast is particularly striking in the scenes where Doodle reveals her pregnancy to Freddy; her words are accompanied by images of childhood objects such as picture frames, keychains, and stuffed animals. The presence of these toys in the midst of Doodle’s life-altering revelation creates a poignant and unsettling tension, highlighting the vulnerability and emotional upheaval that both girls experience as they confront the realities of adulthood.
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