Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

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her in any way possible. Sam risks her life to save another, she works up the courage to stand up for the people who can not defend themselves, like Juliet. Sam realizes the mistakes she has made and does her best to stop Juliet from making the biggest mistake, ending her life. “In that split second she’s launched herself into the road, but she looks back startled, recognition lighting up in her eyes. Then i’m hurtling out behind her.” pg 468. It takes a strong and courageous person to admit the wrongs they have made, Samantha has changed as a person and now realizes that she was treating people like they did not deserve to even look at her or be in her presence. Sam put Juliet before herself and risked her life so she could save Juliet’s, by doing so she ends the constant process of reliving the day of her death. Everyone makes mistakes it is part of being human, but owning up to those mistakes is a challenge many shy away from, Samantha does not back down and admits the mistakes she has made thus leading to the redemption she seeks throughout the novel.

“Before I Fall” sheds light on the development of Samantha as she comes in contact with the biggest obstacles she faces, changing as a person for the better. Samantha was obnoxious and only cared about herself. Ultimately she started to believe that maybe this was just going to be her life and she gave up trying to fix anything. Finally Sam came to the conclusion that her life is not the only one that matters and everyone deserves to be treated as equals. A person can try to avoid death but it is something that can not be controlled, it always comes eventually. The only thing one can control is what one does in a lifetime.