All people go through changes throughout their lives, some quickly, some slowly, for better or for worse. The origin of this change in direction can often be traced back to the events of one's youth. In many cases the adolescent years are the catalyst for beliefs carried into adulthood. This certainly seems to be the case with Jemmy. In Jon Hassler's novel, the protagonist, seventeen-year-old Gemstone Opal Stott or "Jemmy", goes through a major transition between two personalities. The central question in this narrative is why does it change and how should we interpret that change? What does this transformation mean? Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay At the beginning of the novel, Jemmy is providentially saved by a couple, Otis and Ann Chapman, during a huge snowstorm and is chosen by Otis, an artist, to paint as the basis for The Maiden, a public mural in downtown Minneapolis. According to local legend, the Maiden was a young Indian girl who killed herself by throwing herself off a cliff known as Eagle Rock because she fell in love with someone from a rival tribe and could not face the burden of living a life without her lover or suffering. the shame of his family. At first, Jemmy appears to happily embrace the persona of The Maiden. This can be attributed to his heritage. Jemmy is half Chippewa, although he reflects on being “two half people” (Hassler 23). she definitely feels more Indian than white. Jemmy is the Chippewa-Irish daughter of a deceased mother and an alcoholic father who neglects her and her other two children. Having been imagined as the quintessential representative of this legendary Native American heroine makes Jemmy feel infinitely more in touch with her "Indian half," and she is clearly proud of it. During Jemmy's visit to Otis' house for his first modeling job, Otis begins to paint Jemmy on a canvas. Jemmy quickly becomes agitated and amazed, “she was fascinated by the retort” (56). as if “Oti's skill with shadow and color had given shape to his soul.” (56). “It seems so real that it gives me shivers to look at it.”(56). he said. "Never in a photo, not even in the mirror, had Jemmy seen herself so clearly."(57). Jemmy is stunned, wide-eyed and in awe of the painting and this new vision of herself. Jemmy seems to fully accept and become The Maiden. She has adapted The Maiden as herself and feels this has given her a new identity. The character of Maiden also attracts Jemmy for her quality of life. He can identify with the desperation that governed The Maiden. Coming from extreme poverty, Jemmy is told by his alcoholic Irish father to leave school to care for his motherless younger brother and sister. Since most Indians leave school much younger, Jemmy has little doubt, even if this was expected, it still means the end of any progress beyond his current status, even in a school whose white principal equates inappropriate clothing with poverty with a lack of response. to the precepts taught during health lessons. After a series of painting sessions, Jemmy and his brothers attend a party hosted by Otis and Ann, so they can show Jemmy off to friends and other artists, to see and admire the girl he chose for the mural. . Here, Jemmy eagerly takes on the role of a major display piece by acting as a model for the beautiful artist, the event's star attraction. Jemmy shows signs of vanity in a way he never has before. Since many people comment that Jemmy looks elegant, like..