Solitaire
42 pages • 1-hour read
Alice OsemanSolitaire
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Themes
Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of mental illness, bullying, and antigay bias.
Feigning “Normalcy” to Fit In
One of the most prominent themes in Solitaire is the pressure to fake normalcy to fit in. This topic, a common feature of young-adult literature, here encompasses more than the pressure to conform to arbitrary or exclusionary social norms. Rather, it extends to pretending to be happy or okay even as one sinks into despair.
Tori’s life at school is defined by her sense of alienation and her hyper-awareness of what she sees as the superficiality surrounding her—for instance, their debates about celebrity attractiveness or other inconsequential gossip. Her alienation is intensified by the contrast with her best friend, Becky, who effortlessly navigates the social world, while Tori struggles to even smile or laugh. She often performs socially without actually feeling it, concealing her true thoughts and feelings and feeling like an outsider looking through a “dirty window” at those around her (43). She thus experiences a conflict between hiding her true self and seeking authentic connection, which drives much of her character development.
Tori’s interactions with Michael become the catalyst for change. When Michael observes her pessimistic tendencies and warns, “[Y]ou will drown in the abyss you have imagined for yourself” (51), Tori is confronted with her fears and the façade she maintains for others. In part, Michael pushes Tori to recognize that she is actually projecting much of her own self-loathing onto those around her. Indeed, she views herself as dull and uninteresting, saying, “I am a vacuum. I am a void. I am nothing” (15). This low self-esteem both colors her view of others and underpins her belief that she must hide who she really is, placing her in an impossible position. Michael, by contrast, is unapologetically himself and thus shows Tori that it’s possible to maintain friendships without pretending to be “normal.”
However, the novel does not suggest that the pressure to conform is entirely imagined. In exposing Ben as being prejudiced and a bully, the Solitaire blog reveals how forces like antigay bias lead people to suppress their true selves. However, the blog also unmasks the cost of conformity in another way. As events worsen and intensify, Tori watches as her peers laugh and cheer, becoming the uncritical, antagonistic force that Tori imagined them to be. While the novel ultimately challenges Tori’s pessimism and alienation, it therefore suggests that a degree of skepticism toward the crowd is healthy; Tori’s uniqueness makes her sensitive to cruelties that others miss.
Finding Light in the Darkness
In her daily life, Tori frequently experiences moments of intense despair, yet there are fleeting glimpses of hope that suggest joy is possible. She often perceives the world around her as bleak. Her disengagement from the social environment of her school plays a role in this, but so too does her life at home, which is shaped by her brother Charlie’s mental-health crises and her parents’ struggles to understand or break through Tori’s own despair. Nevertheless, Tori finds light in the darkness throughout her interactions and experiences, particularly in her connection with Michael.
One important instance of hope occurs during the Solitaire party when Tori dances with Michael: “So when we start jumping up and down, smiling so ridiculously, looking at each other and at the sky and not really at anything, Morrissey singing something about shyness, I really don’t think things can be so bad after all” (224). This moment is a rare experience of joy and release for Tori. The simple act of embracing spontaneity and connection allows her to feel alive and momentarily free from the weight of her insecurities and anxieties. More broadly, Michael’s presence throughout each day provides an anchor, as he encourages Tori to step out of her comfort zone while also validating her struggles and emotions. Far from undercutting this, the revelation that Michael also struggles with negativity—for instance, his anger at the skating competition—demonstrates to Tori that one does not have to be naturally upbeat to lead a rich and even happy life.
Even before her epiphany on the roof, Tori’s actions reinforce this idea. When Charlie relapses, Tori feels powerless, yet she takes action to help him and contacts Nick for support. Her ability to respond to a crisis, despite fear and overwhelm, demonstrates the power of her ability to care. She tells herself that she has never helped and doesn’t do enough, but she is often the first one there, as in her efforts to thwart Solitaire’s plans. Empathy thus emerges as a key source of hope—all the more so because it tends to manifest most clearly when circumstances seem desperate. These instances suggest that even in a world filled with indifference, friendship and a passion for change can break through darkness.
The novel’s refusal to grant Tori a conventional “happy ending”—a refusal that she herself spotlights when she questions why she doesn’t get such an ending—further clarifies the theme. The narrative ends amid ongoing uncertainty; the school is burning down, and Tori herself has just been contemplating death by suicide. Nevertheless, she takes comfort in her friends’ presence and her own life, underscoring that there is always hope to hold on to.
Being the Start of Change
A major theme in Solitaire is the idea that individuals have the power to create change, even when faced with widespread apathy or destructive forces. Tori’s journey is an example of this. Early in the novel, she often feels powerless and isolated; she complains about the indifference of those around her but does little herself. When witnessing Ben’s bullying and the violence that follows, Tori justifies her inaction by telling herself, “I am not the hero” (232). Nevertheless, her discomfort in such moments leads to her eventual decision to act, underscoring the novel’s message that change starts with one person choosing to step up rather than remain passive.
The theme becomes particularly evident in Part 2, where Tori begins to recognize that Solitaire is calling her to act. She reflects on the world around her and realizes, “[N]o one cares about the important things anymore. We’re so used to disaster that we accept it. We think we deserve it” (301). This awareness catalyzes her shift from apathy to action. Unlike others who either ignore problems or perpetuate harm, Tori begins to take responsibility for what she can influence, whether that is intervening to help Charlie or stopping Solitaire. Her choice to engage illustrates how a single person can serve as the starting point for meaningful change.
Tori’s growth is closely linked to her relationships, showing how individual action can snowball into positive change. Michael’s loyalty encourages Tori to confront challenges directly. In turn, her interactions with Becky evolve into collaboration and mutual support during crises. When Tori confronts Lucas and the other students, she demonstrates courage and a refusal to accept harm. She actively works to stop the fire, despite the risk involved, and her actions inspire support from others, such as Becky and Michael.
Tori’s demonstration that individuals do not have to wait for others to act or for circumstances to improve recasts the meaning of the novel’s title. Beyond referencing the blog that causes so much chaos, the title evokes Tori’s isolation; Solitaire is a game that one plays alone. By the end of the novel, however, it is clear that solitary action can be powerful: Tori evolves from a passive observer into someone willing to intervene and take responsibility, showing the impact that one person can have in a world accustomed to apathy and disaster.
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