61 pages • 2 hours read
The Dixon Rule
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Themes
Overcoming Shame After Abuse
Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of physical abuse.
The theme of overcoming shame after abuse is explored through Diana’s character arc. Diana is a young woman known by her friends and family for her strength and resilience. However, she confronts a profound internal struggle when her ex-boyfriend Percy’s violence forces her to reevaluate these qualities in herself. Through Diana’s experiences, Elle Kennedy examines the psychological toll of abuse, the societal stigma surrounding it, and the empowering process of reframing such experiences as revealing one’s inner strength rather than weakness.
At the heart of Diana’s shame is her perception of herself as someone who is invincible and unshakable. Early in the novel, she identifies herself as the person people turn to for solutions and protection: “If there’s a situation that needs fixing, you go to Diana Dixon” (176). This self-concept is reinforced by her father’s unwavering faith in her resilience, as he often reminds her, “You’ve never shied away from a challenge your entire life. Never met an obstacle you haven’t been able to overcome” (90). Percy’s assault shatters this image, introducing a sense of vulnerability that Diana struggles to reconcile with her established identity. Her initial response to the attack is flight rather than confrontation, an act she perceives as cowardice: “The moment Percy’s knuckles connected with my face, fight-or-flight kicked in, and the latter won in a landslide” (189). Her perceived failure to meet her own standards of strength becomes a source of immense shame.
Kennedy captures the societal and internalized pressures that exacerbate Diana’s reluctance to seek justice. Diana fears the judgment of her loved ones, particularly her father, whose high regard for her strength becomes a double-edged sword. She knows reporting Percy would inevitably let her father know, believing: “Dad knows everyone in law enforcement, so even if I wanted to hide that I was pressing charges, the news would eventually travel back to him” (193). Her mother’s tendency to blame Diana’s temper for past conflicts further reinforces her hesitation, as Diana internalizes the belief that she provoked the violence. This familial dynamic underscores the societal tendency to place responsibility for abuse on the victim, a damaging narrative that Diana internalizes and must eventually unlearn.
The duality of Diana’s internal conflict—embodied by the two voices in her mind, one urging her to fight and the other paralyzed by shame—captures the complexity of her experience. At one point, she reflects, “It’s like there are two Dianas inside me. One of them is furious. She’s saying, What is the matter with you? Go to the cops. Punish him. And the other one is cowering and crippled with shame” (215). The tension she experiences highlights the difficulty of overcoming deeply ingrained feelings of inadequacy and fear, even for someone as strong-willed as Diana.
Ultimately, with Shane’s encouragement, Diana confronts her fears and reclaims her sense of agency by reporting Percy and admitting the truth to her friends and family. Through Diana’s story, Kennedy presents a nuanced exploration of the theme of overcoming shame after abuse. The narrative captures the internal and external barriers victims face, while ultimately offering a message of hope and resilience.
Finding Empowerment in Relationships
The evolving dynamics of Diana and Shane’s romantic relationship and their contrasting experiences with past relationships all work to highlight how healthy relationships should empower individuals rather than diminish or belittle them. Both characters navigate the complexities of what it means to prioritize a partner’s needs while also not compromising more of themselves than they’re willing to give. By highlighting the flaws in their previous relationships and juxtaposing them with the positive aspects of their current connection, Kennedy exhibits the empowering potential of relationships.
For Diana, finding empowerment begins with rejecting relationships that diminish her voice and autonomy. Her ex-boyfriend Percy represents a dynamic of control and manipulation, one that stifles her nature. Lynsey’s observation about Diana having a “big personality” (182) illustrates how Diana’s assertiveness is an integral part of her identity—an identity Percy actively undermined. Through Diana’s decision to end her toxic relationship with Percy and set clear boundaries, Kennedy highlights the importance of stepping away from unhealthy dynamics as a first step toward empowerment.
Shane’s eventual ability to find empowerment in relationships is rooted in his self-reflection on past mistakes. His relationship with Lynsey, while not abusive, was unbalanced and left him feeling unfulfilled. Shane acknowledges the shortcomings in their relationship, admitting that his focus on hockey often made him appear selfish and unavailable: “Maybe I didn’t always put her first. Maybe I didn’t quite find that balance between hockey and girlfriends” (183). However, he also recognizes that his efforts—such as attending all of Lynsey’s performances and family events—were consistently dismissed by her. Their dynamic left Shane feeling undervalued and guarded, as he acted differently around Lynsey to avoid conflict. Diana’s observation of his guarded behavior further emphasizes the disempowering nature of his past relationship: “He’d been more serious. Guarded, watching his words. I don’t know if that was to impress Lynsey or to avoid angering her, but I certainly noticed a difference” (305).
Diana and Shane’s relationship represents a sharp contrast to their past experiences, highlighting the ways in which a healthy partnership can be empowering. Diana’s vibrant personality and unrelenting energy are celebrated by Shane, who finds her enthusiasm uplifting: “This woman just pumps you up. If I suffered from low self-esteem, I’d hire her to follow me around and boost me up all day” (251). Unlike Lynsey, who dismissed Shane’s passions and interests, Diana encourages his growth and supports his goals. While he was open and vulnerable with Lynsey, her lack of support left him feeling unfulfilled: “I invited her to everything—she didn’t want to come. And then, when she did come, she made it clear she wasn’t having a great time” (387). In contrast, Diana actively participates in Shane’s world, creating a sense of balance and reciprocity that empowers him to be his authentic self. Similarly, Shane provides Diana with unwavering support, allowing her to process her trauma without judgment.
Their dynamic thus enables both characters to thrive individually and together. Diana and Shane demonstrate love that uplifts rather than diminishes. Their journey serves as a testament to the idea that the right relationship is not one that demands one-sided self-sacrifice, but one that encourages self-discovery and fulfillment.
Embracing Life to the Fullest
Living life to the fullest is a motto Diana lives by but the theme manifests itself through both her and Shane’s approaches to ambition, relationships, and embracing the present. Both Diana and Shane embody different aspects of this theme as they navigate how to balance their responsibilities and dreams while finding joy in everyday life.
Shane’s character arc highlights a transition from complacency to more intentional living. At the novel’s outset, he enjoys the privileges of a carefree life supported by his parents: “I’m twenty-one years old and blissfully unemployed. It’s the summer before senior year, and I want to enjoy every second of it” (25). While Shane initially views his privilege as a way to coast through life, his experiences with Diana challenge him to invest more meaningfully in his passions and relationships. His partnership with Diana in the dance competition begins as a shallow ploy to make his ex jealous, but soon evolves into a source of genuine joy: “These days, when Diana and I schedule a dance rehearsal, the only thing I’m thinking about is how much fun we’re going to have” (412). Shane’s realization that life’s fullest moments come from authentic connections and shared goals marks his growth into a more intentional and engaged person.
Diana, by contrast, represents a relentless drive to excel and experience life’s richness. She throws herself wholeheartedly into everything she undertakes, from cheerleading to mastering new skills. Shane’s initial dismissal of her as “flighty” (426) shifts as he spends more time with her. Eventually he comes to believe that “anything that woman puts her mind to, she succeeds at” (442). Diana’s approach to life extends beyond professional and personal ambition—she finds fulfillment in fostering relationships and supporting others. Her willingness to participate in activities she initially finds mundane, like golfing with Shane, represents her ability to embrace the present for the sake of connection. Her exuberance also extends to her love for teaching children cheerleading and gymnastics. Her balance of ambition and spontaneity defines her character and highlights Kennedy’s portrayal of living life to the fullest as a multidimensional pursuit.
Shane’s relationship with his ex-girlfriend Lynsey illustrates the stagnation that occurs when life becomes overly narrow in focus. Reflecting on their relationship, Shane notes that Lynsey dismissed his interests and failed to engage in shared activities, consumed by her own drive and perfectionism. The theme culminates in Shane’s sense of peace and fulfillment by the beginning of the third act. Shane reflects, “For the first time in a long time, I’m completely at peace with every single aspect of my life” (458). While he loses his father soon after, Shane carries the lessons he’s learned into his future and continues to make the most of every aspect of his life.
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