60 pages • 2 hours read
Elle KennedyThe Graham Effect
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2023A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Themes
The Weight of Legacy
Content Warning: The section of the guide discusses depictions of murder, child abuse, foster care, child neglect, and sexual harassment.
Throughout the narrative, both Gigi and Ryder grapple with the burdens of their family legacies. For Gigi, being Garrett Graham’s daughter grants her opportunities but also fosters a sense of being overshadowed by his fame. At the same time, Ryder’s family history of violence and traumatic upbringing serve as obstacles to overcome. Despite their challenges, both characters embark on journeys of self-discovery and growth, ultimately finding solace and strength in their shared experiences and each other’s support.
Gigi’s family legacy is a double-edged sword. Her father’s fame opens many doors for her, ensuring she never struggles for ice time and allowing her to train under some of the most talented hockey players ever. Garrett’s influence extends beyond mere opportunities; he pushed Gigi into figure skating, an endeavor she initially found disinteresting. However, she acknowledges that this push ultimately made her a better skater and, subsequently, a better hockey player. Garrett’s substantial donations to Briar University, including the Graham Center arena and the recruitment of renowned coaches like Tim Adley, were almost specifically for Gigi’s benefit, revitalizing the women’s hockey team.
Despite her gratitude, Gigi cannot shake a sense of resentment toward her father. She reflects, “When you have a famous parent, you tend to spend a lot of your time in their shadow” (11). When her coach expresses concern that Gigi’s extra practices will wear on her stamina, he stops himself, telling her, “I keep forgetting I’m talking to a Graham. You’re your father’s daughter” (11). Gigi takes some of this in stride, noting, “I knew when I started playing, I would be forever compared to my father. Dad is a living legend” (11). However, Gigi cannot help but get frustrated as she is often seen as an extension of her father. When the team seeks to repair its image, they immediately turn to Gigi, reinforcing her role as a link to her father’s legacy rather than valuing her individual talents. Even her improvements on the ice are attributed to her father’s influence, despite her efforts to carve her own path. Compounding Gigi’s frustrations is the reality of women’s hockey’s underfunding, which dims her hopes of surpassing her father’s accomplishments. Instead, she sets her sights on the one accolade he did not attain: Olympic gold. Goal-oriented since childhood, Gigi tirelessly pursues this dream, only to be devastated when she falls short of making the Olympic team.
On the other hand, Ryder sees his family legacy as a heavy burden rather than an asset. His mantra of “It’s in the past” reflects his refusal to confront his traumatic upbringing (107), leading him to avoid discussing his past altogether. However, his avoidance only breeds misunderstandings, particularly regarding his brief but violent outburst toward a teammate. Despite this being an isolated incident, Ryder’s history and guarded demeanor perpetuate the belief that he is prone to violence. Throughout the story, Ryder embarks on a slow journey toward accepting his past and learning to share it with others. His evolution involves confronting his traumas and embracing vulnerability, ultimately leading to personal growth and healing. As he opens up to Gigi and others, Ryder finds acceptance and support, gradually shedding the weight of his family legacy and reclaiming his identity.
Both Gigi and Ryder confront their family legacies in different ways, but ultimately, they find common ground in their struggles and triumphs. Their journeys highlight the complexities of navigating familial expectations and societal perceptions, showcasing the transformative power of self-discovery, acceptance, and genuine connection.
Gender Roles, Gendered Expectations, and Gender Stereotypes
Elle Kennedy delves into gender roles, expectations, and stereotypes in college sports, mainly through the contrasting experiences of Gigi and Ryder as college hockey players. Their contrasting experiences shed light on the pervasive gender biases and inequalities ingrained in sports culture, underscoring broader societal implications and injustices,
In the narrative, women are held responsible for resolving conflicts caused by men, regardless of their agency and involvement. Early in the novel, the men’s team instigates a fight, prompting backlash from sponsors and the community. Despite the women’s team’s lack of involvement, the PR team coerces them into mitigating the fallout. When the women’s team captain raises objections, the coaches dismiss her concerns, underscoring the unequal burden placed on women to rectify situations not of their making. This dynamic reflects broader societal norms where society expects women to prioritize the needs of men and bear the consequences of their actions, perpetuating gendered power imbalances and reinforcing stereotypes about women’s roles in addressing male indiscretions.
Similarly, Gigi sacrifices her own desires to maintain harmony when confronted by her ex-boyfriend, Case, who intrudes uninvited while she is at Ryder’s house. Despite Case’s inappropriate behavior and unwarranted demands, Gigi reluctantly acquiesces to his command to leave, suppressing her own frustration and desires. This interaction highlights the gendered expectations placed on women to prioritize appeasement and avoid confrontation, even at the expense of their own autonomy and well-being. Gigi’s response underscores the pervasive influence of societal norms dictating women’s compliance and self-sacrifice in interpersonal relationships, perpetuating unequal power dynamics and reinforcing traditional gender roles.
Hockey exhibits distinct gender dynamics, with men’s hockey emphasizing physicality and body checking, while women’s hockey prioritizes tactical gameplay. Disparities in viewership and salaries between men’s and women’s professional leagues underscore the systemic inequalities within the sport. Despite Gigi’s exceptional skills, she faces misogynistic praise that diminishes her achievements by qualifying them as exceptional “for a girl” or “for a woman,” highlighting the pervasive gender bias that permeates hockey culture (11). These observations reflect broader societal attitudes that perpetuate gender stereotypes and undervalue women’s contributions in traditionally male-dominated domains.
The contrasting treatment of Ryder and Gigi exemplifies the double standard prevalent in men’s and women’s hockey. Despite Ryder’s violent altercation resulting in a teammate’s injury, his career trajectory remains unaffected, culminating in his selection as the first pick in the NHL draft and his continued success on the Briar University team. In contrast, Gigi’s altercation with Emma Fairlee, devoid of physical violence, may lead to her exclusion from the Olympic team. Brad Fairlee’s explanation emphasizes subjective criteria over objective performance metrics, implying that Gigi’s worth as a player is undermined by factors unrelated to her skills. This discrepancy underscores the systemic biases ingrained within the sport as male players in the novel are granted leniency and opportunities despite transgressions. By contrast, the novel’s female players face harsher scrutiny and repercussions for lesser offenses.
The Power of Love and Acceptance in Fostering Emotional Growth
The Graham Effect explores the transformative power of love and acceptance. Beyond the world of competitive hockey, the story delves into the emotional journeys of Gigi Graham and Luke Ryder, showcasing how these emotions foster self-discovery, heal past wounds, and pave the path for meaningful relationships.
Initially presented as a girl who seemingly “has it all,” Gigi grapples with internal struggles hidden beneath a facade of privilege. Aware of her advantages, she feels pressure to suppress negativity, believing it contradicts her fortunate life. She reflects, “I feel like I’m not … allowed to be hateful […] because I’ve had all these opportunities in my life. […] It feels selfish to bitch about my problems” (232). This internal conflict manifests in her guilt and fear of negative emotions, especially toward those who have wronged her, like Emma and Case. For example, Gigi has no intention of getting back together with Case, but “he looks so frustrated and upset that it triggers a rush of guilt” (124). These negative emotions complicate her relationships.
Gigi inadvertently creates misunderstandings with those who care about her in her attempts to spare others from pain. Her father and uncles persistently pressure her to reconcile with Case, unaware of the reasons behind their breakup. When Gigi eventually confides in her father, his anger underscores her reluctance to reveal the details, fearing judgment and discord. She tells him, “See, this is why I didn’t want to tell you. I didn’t want you to think badly of him” (425). Similarly, Gigi’s silence about the extent of Emma’s betrayal leaves her father, Brad, feeling his daughter is blameless and Gigi is unable to collaborate effectively with others.
Ryder plays a pivotal role in helping Gigi navigate her emotional struggles. He encourages her to embrace her feelings without guilt or reservation, fostering a safe space to prioritize her needs:
You need to stop feeling bad about the way you feel. You hate that chick Emma and feel bad about hating her. You want something your father doesn’t have and feel bad wanting it […] It’s like you refuse to voice even a shred of negativity, otherwise it makes you a bad person. Or you feel like you need to be eternally grateful for being born wealthy and gifted […] Just feel what you feel. It’s okay (334).
This support empowers Gigi to assert herself, as evidenced by her candidness about Case’s betrayal and her willingness to hold Emma accountable for her actions. With Ryder’s guidance, Gigi undergoes significant character development, demonstrating her growth and resilience in adversity.
Ryder enters as a stark contrast to Gigi. While he readily accepts his anger and resentment, his coping mechanism involves repressing these emotions, burying them under the surface, and labeling them as something from his past. This repression creates a wall between himself and others. His tendency toward silence breeds misunderstanding. Friends and family struggle to connect with him due to his emotional distance. Despite his vulnerability with his half-brother, Owen, Ryder remains hesitant to open up, hindering authentic connections.
Just as Ryder’s love empowers Gigi, Gigi herself provides Ryder with the support he needs to be vulnerable. When Ryder finally opens up, expressing his desire to erase the past, Gigi gently reminds him of the importance of facing reality. While Ryder states, “I want to pretend it never happened” (374), Gigi tells him, “You can’t though. Because it did happen […] pretending it’s not there doesn’t help anything” (374). Her reassurance creates a space for Ryder to confront his suppressed emotions, including feelings of guilt regarding his mother’s death. Gigi’s unwavering support helps Ryder shed the responsibility he wrongly carried and encourages him to seek closure with his past. This newfound courage leads Ryder to reconcile with his brother Owen and confront his father’s parole hearing, actions he previously avoided. Ultimately, Ryder reveals why he attacked his teammate, breaking years of silence.
Gigi and Ryder’s individual journeys, intertwined through love and acceptance, showcase the profound impact of emotional honesty and genuine support. Through Gigi’s guidance, Ryder learns to trust and confront his past, fostering healing and self-acceptance. Reciprocally, Ryder empowers Gigi to shed her guilt and unrealistic expectations, allowing her to embrace the full spectrum of her emotions. Together, they navigate their respective emotional landscapes, demonstrating the transformative power of connection and the importance of self-acceptance in achieving personal growth.
