Rachel is a secondary character whose marginalization reveals the values and the consequences of the social hierarchy within “The Fan Club.” She is the daughter of an economically vulnerable tailor, Jacob Hortensky, and she changes her name for the school setting to “Horton,” implying anxiety about xenophobia and possibly antisemitism. Negative descriptions of her body and clothing set her further apart from the more polished appearance of the “in” group. These details, filtered through Laura’s perspective, reflect how class, ethnicity, and appearance function as sources of social power within the school. 

Although she is ostracized and bullied, Rachel is characterized as friendly and open. She approaches Laura, excitedly discussing a television show, complimenting Laura’s poetry, and inviting her to stay over at her house. This willingness to engage is met with avoidance, as Laura attempts to remove herself from the situation: “Laura tried to sound interested. She turned to go, but Rachel still stood there, her mouth half open, her pale, moon-like face strangely urgent” (1). These descriptions are filtered through Laura’s perspective, introducing elements of unreliable narration: Rachel’s perceived awkwardness reflects Laura’s internal biases rather than an objective portrayal of her character. 

Rachel embodies the consequences of the social hierarchy, functioning as a scapegoat whose mistreatment strengthens the other students’ bond. As the target of this attention, Rachel is used to define the boundaries of “acceptable” appearance and behavior. Her treatment also highlights Bystander Silence as Complicity through Miss Merrill’s decision to ignore the bullies and scold Rachel and through Laura’s passive judgment.

The “in” group is a clique of socially powerful students who function as the collective antagonist in “The Fan Club.” The group is led by Diana Goddard, who appears directly in the text alongside Terri Pierce, Steve Becker, and Ellen. Other “in” group members are named—Carol, Bill, and Nancy—but are not active characters. The group’s antagonistic role is established early, as Laura dreads facing them, suggesting that the students have bullied Laura before. 

The “in” group is characterized by sameness in appearance and behavior: “They were all alike, all the same” (1). The juxtaposition of the group with marginalized students like Laura and Rachel emphasizes their uniformity. Laura questions if they bully her “because her stringy hair hung in her eyes instead of dipping in graceful curls” (1), and later, she blames Rachel’s appearance for antagonizing the bullies—“The gaudy flowers of Rachel Horton’s blouse stood out among the fluffy sweaters and pleated skirts” (2). These remarks demonstrate how appearance functions as a source of social power for the group. 

The group maintains its power through social pressure and bystander complicity. Ellen’s attempt to draw Laura into mocking Rachel—“Hey, how’s that for a smart outfit?” (2)—makes cruelty a shared activity and exemplifies how the group harnesses peer pressure. This dynamic intensifies during Rachel’s presentation, when Steve audibly calls her “dumb,” and no one, including the teacher, Miss Merril, intervenes. The lack of response in this moment, as well as the moment when the “in” group cheers and reveals their Hortensky Fan Club Cards, shows how the students’ dominance relies on others’ silence.