Analysis of Lucy Cross's 'The Sin Bin or Lucy's Heart'

Author Lucy Cross wrote the short story The Sin Bin or Lucy’s Heart in the year 2000. The main topic is identity crisis, which many teenagers and adolescents can relate to. Throughout the story Lucy shares her thoughts and actions that can all relate to identity crisis. Lucy’s decisions throughout the story will ultimately create/develop her future self.

Lucy Cooke is the main character of the story. She is usually thought of (and expected to be) as a well-behaved student, with fine learning/educational abilities. However, when she begins to spend time with Bethan, her grades and general behaviour differs from her expectations. On p. 34 l. 23-24 a quote informs the readers of this. “Lucy Cooke. What has happened to the Grade A student I used to teach? Hm? And picking on poor Penny Jones”.

Lucy is rather insecure and therefore her judgement of choosing friends is negatively affected. Her mother and most of all her “friend” Bethan affect her decisions in the story. Another quote indicating this is on p.35 l.7-9 when Lucy hits her former best friend Penny Jones:“ We’d been quite close before Bethan asked me to be her best friend. I think that’s why Bethan made me do it – to prove there wasn’t anyone in the way of our friendship”.