Literary Analysis: Girl with the Rainbow Skin Literary Analysis: Girl with the Rainbow Skin By Isabella, Grade 7July 2022 “The future has a way of arriving unannounced.” states American commentator George Will. Valentina Sanchez’s “The Girl with The Rainbow Skin” features a character who believes she is flawless until she becomes coerced to change when coming in contact with two conventional humans. Initially, the reader is introduced to a Teleote, whose actions show she believes herself to be superior. Unexpectedly, after encountering her first Organic, she is astonished to hear that they do not see her as the majestic creature she perceives herself to be. In fact, the human sees her as the opposite. As the story progresses, the Teleote starts to see not only the organics but also herself from different point of view. Throughout the story, the reader can see clear character growth in the main character, as the Teleote starts to experience life that involves and considers others. Originally, after the Telote meets her first humans, Rachel and Keahi, she is infuriated to find out that they are not fond of her physical appearance. The traits that the Teleote thought were special seemed completely different from someone else’s point of view. ““What are you?” she asks in a harsh whisper. “Look at her, Keahi. There’s something wrong with her.” How dare an Organic say that about me? She is the one with the dry, dull skin that does nothing but cover her body like an envelope. Suddenly, I feel an emotion I have never experienced before, one that makes me hot and tense inside” (Sanchez 101). It is clear to see that the Teleote believes that she is exemplary. However, when encountering the human, she becomes angry at the thought that they don’t see her the same way. This causes her to point out flaws of others, to try and make herself feel comforted. The Teleote now starts to have negative feelings towards the organics, while she starts to doubt herself, as well as her abilities. Seeing that people call her traits useless and gross, sparks up a question: Is the Teleote really who she thinks she is? Or is what the organics said true? “My first encounter with Organics hasn’t gone very well, yet I can’t stop thinking about them. Sometimes I touch the mucus on my skin and remember how the girl called it slime. We Teleotes think of ourselves as the most perfect humans ever created, designed to adapt to any condition on Earth. But it seems Organics think of us differently—as freaks, as the girl called Rachel said” (Sanchez 103). This evidence further proves how the Teleote has never been uncertain of her abilities before. Here, you can see that she is starting to be doubtful of herself. Realizing that the traits that she once believed were superior seem gross to others, the Teleote starts feel insecure about herself. This increases her likelihood of changing. In the end, the Teleote decides to use her abilities to help the organics stay safe. Throughout the story, it is predictable that the Teleote would change as soon as she questions herself. When the organic Rachel says that she has skin like slime, the Teleote reflects on herself. It is surprising to see that when Rachel needed help, the Teleote uses her “slime” to revive Rachel, showing that her body really can do majestic things. “Wait!” Keahi calls. “I’ve been out here looking for you every day. I thought maybe we could surf together, but now—I think we’ll stay out of the water for a little while. “I understand,” I say, “But I’ll keep an eye on the sharks for you and make sure they don’t cause you any more trouble” (Sanchez 105). As the human becomes more accustomed to the Teleote, she starts to do the same for the humans. Additionally, she even decides to help them. This proves that her attitude and feelings towards others different from her has changed immensely. As George Will describes, events in the future are always uncertain. In the beginning of the passage, it is hard to believe that the Teleote is capable of benefiting others, as she appears conceited about her strengths and full of herself. However, after she meets her first organic, the Teleote appears to step into reality and see from other’s points of view. Clear character growth is seen in the main character throughout the passage. In the end of the story, the Teleote uses her abilities to benefit others. She shows that instead of talking and boasting about her characteristics, she can instead use them for the to assist the organics. By viewing this story from the Teleotes point of view, the reader can justify the main character’s actions and sees how she changes throughout the story. “The Girl with the Rainbow Skin” explains the idea to the audience that instead of boasting about certain traits, use them to benefit others.
