Currently on pg. 209, chapter 23
On pg. 198, Mara contimplates whether or not she has any fun in her life. She talks about how her school's activities and how they are "stressful and competitive. How many cans of food can you bring for the needy? How many laps can you do to raise money for the homeless shelter? How many pages can you read to earn books for the library downtown? Everyone's always trying to win at everything all the time. Even when it's a good cause. It's exhausting and really doesn't feel that fun at all."
I have heard people say that society is doing the youth of today a disservice by giving them a trophy for participation. That the constant positive reinforcement does not prepare them for the realities of life. Mara's experience is the opposite of this 'everybody wins attitude'. Or perhaps it is the stress of having not earned the trophy that you are holding in your hand. Maybe there is a balance between the birthday party goodie-bags (everyone gets a gift) and the 'must be the best' way of thinking.
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