The Last Song

As the novel’s protagonist, 17-year-old Ronnie is a dynamic and round character whose journey from resentful adolescent to compassionate young adult forms the central arc of the narrative. Her transformation is driven by the internal and external conflicts she faces during a summer of forced reconciliation with her estranged father, Steve. Initially, Ronnie is characterized by a defiant and rebellious nature, a persona she consciously constructs to mask her deep-seated hurt and anger. Arriving in North Carolina from New York City, she presents an exterior of teenage angst, complete with dark clothing, black nail polish, a purple streak in her hair, and a hostile attitude. This rebellion is a direct response to her parents’ divorce three years prior, an event that she blames entirely on her father. Her refusal to play the piano, once a shared passion with him, becomes the primary symbol of her resentment and emotional blockade. She immediately informs him, “I’m not going to play the piano for you” (16), establishing the core conflict in their relationship. This act of musical abandonment is not merely a rejection of her talent but a repudiation of the emotional connection she once shared with Steve, linking directly to the theme of