Key Player

Content Warning: This section of the guide features depictions of racism, gender discrimination, illness and death, and bullying.

“How did I tell Mr. Antwell I couldn’t picture myself as Brandi Chastain? First of all, she looked nothing like me! She had wispy hair the color of glistening sand, while mine was thick and jet-black. Second, even if I did dribble the ball, I’d probably end up kicking it off the metal corner of the goal, have it come flying back at me, and get sent to the emergency room with a concussion.”

Mia uses visual imagery and color to draw a contrast between herself and Brandi Chastain, emphasizing her feelings of otherness and self-doubt when pitted against Western physical beauty standards. The hyperbolic imagery of the ball rebounding and causing a concussion highlights her internalized fears and perceived inadequacies.

“Most of all, I wished Mr. Antwell saw me for the things I was really good at, and not the things I couldn’t control.”

This line shows Mia’s yearning for recognition and validation for the person that she is rather than some idealized version of who she should be, revealing her inherent confidence and self-possession. She has a strong intrinsic sense of self-worth and belief in her writing abilities and she intellectually knows it’s not her fault that she fears the soccer ball due to past financial precarity. However, she still feels unseen and ashamed emotionally.

“I’m Mia Tang. I may be the slowest person on the soccer field, but I’m the first person to defend my dreams.”

Mia’s declaration employs antithesis, contrasting her physical limitations with her unwavering determination. She highlights her commitment to her aspirations, reinforcing the theme of Resilience in the Face of Adversity. Mia uses the word “defend,” a common sports term, using a sports metaphor to conceptualize pursuing her dreams.