1

Within the foreward, Heller depicts Barbara as a delusional character. On

initial introduction it is suggested that Barbara is Sheba's 'friend' and there is
clearly admiration for Sheba on Barbaras part. This is presented within 'We
dont have secrets, Barbara and I', when quite obviously there are several
secrets between them, and complete honesty is evidently a stranger to
Barbara. However it is soon obvious that Heller is subverting Barbara,
allowing the reader to understand further than what Barbara intends and
believes they can. Barbara is delusional in believing that it is impossible to
see beyond her portrayal of the 'scandal' and similarly that Sheba befriends
her through genuine attraction opposed to desperation.

2
Throughout the text it becomes increasingly clear that Heller aims to portray
Barbara as somewhat of a psycopath, however this derives from Barbaras
evident insecurity. 'I was reminded of all this unpleasantness and the
recollection acted as a kind of alarm'- suggesting her emerging paranoia
rooting from past experiences/events, resurfacing with the arrival of Sheba,
emphasising that there is clearly a story in Barbara. Heller masks Barbaras
insecuritys and lack of confidence by her obsessive and delusional nature,
suggested by Barbaras constant ability to recall just about every last detail
regarding her encounters with Sheba, confirming that Barbara intends to
withhold certain snippets of information, manipulating the text, however her
obsessive nature jeapordizes this for her.