The Red Girl comes from a very different life and background than that of Annie John, and that is both inspiring and interesting to Annie. She begins to become a bit more comfortable with the idea of living a life separate from her family once she begins a relationship with the Red Girl. The Red Girl represents independence and change. She is Annie John's age, but she is already beginning to go through many of the changes that Annie John dreads. Annie's entire life is defined by what is expected of her, but this is not the case with the Red Girl. She is her own person, who wears what she wants, washes herself when she wants to and comes to school when she feels like it. The Red Girl represents the kind of rebellious,...

When Annie John's mother pushes her away, she craves the attention and affection that she used to receive from her mother. Gwen supplies this. She showers Annie John with all of the hugs, kisses and physical affection that she can. They are close and it seems that Gwen is naturally very loving and physically affectionate. This is important for Annie John as she realizes that she is able to find love in people other than her mother. Gwen represents the world outside of Annie John's mother, and those who will continue to love her even after the love of her parents has begun to change.