A Character Analysis of Cady Heron
from Mean Girls
The New girl
Cady was introduced to us as the new girl from Africa. Not only was she African but she was a white girl from Africa. To some this would mean nothing but to me it signified that Cady’s character was different. Unique. Not what meets the eye. Because when you hear African, most would automatically think of darker skin, not white. Though this isn’t the case, it is definitely a culture shock to see different due to stereotypes. This was even implied when principal mentioned to the class there is a new girl from Africa and Tina Fey said “Oh, welcome” to the black girl with dreads and she says “I’m not African.”..Awkward but funny.
We quickly learn that Cady was a white African new girl who has been home schooled and never been to a public school. Uh oh. She’s way out the loop here.
People Pleaser
After a short time we find out one of Cady’s character flaw. If you guessed people pleaser, then you’re 100% right.
She wanted friends so badly that she skipped class although she knew it was wrong. Allowed Janice to call her the wrong name. Allowed Regina to refer to her as “loser”
-Admired Regina from afar. Thought she was like a Barbie doll.
-Naive- believing Regina was sweet and had good intentions.
-Had a crush on Regina’s ex boyfriend Aaron who was off limits. Really believed that Regina was okay with her talking to him.
-Loves math. But dumb herself down to talk to Aaron.
-Geek. Nerd. Homeschooled. Sweet. Morals (doesn't want to steal)
AVOIDS CONFRONTATION
-She lied to Janice about her not being in the book to avoid hurting her feelings OR maybe to cover up her own tracks. “He’s too gay to function.”
- When she thought she was going to get in trouble by Regina, her first thought was “Start apologizing and crying.”
-After getting her heartbroken over a guy she just met due to jealousy, Cady became vengeful toward Regina with the help of Janice.
-Started becoming two faced & passive aggressive- being nice to Regina to her face but plotting behind her back.
-became an instigator between Gretchen and Regina and ultimately Karen.
-Still wanted approval. “The weird thing about hanging out with Regina George is that I could hate her but I still wanted her to like me” . Started changing the way she dressed.
- Became obsessed over Regina. Talking about her badly. Bringing her up every chance she gets.
-Liked the attention she got being a plastic because of the popularity it brought.
-Conniving. Started playing stupid again so she could get close to Aaron. This time she committed by messing up her grades. Kissed him then told him Regina is cheating on her.
-Became a bitch- wrote in the Burn book about her math teacher who was only trying to give her advice. Said she was a drug pusher lying on her.
THE NEW QUEEN B- throwing parties at her house. Lying to her friends and family. Gretchen and Karen were following her around like lost puppies. Started speaking like Regina. Used tactics like Regina.
“Making fun of Carol would not stop her from beating me in this contest.
Calling somebody else fat won't make you any skinnier
Calling someone stupid doesn’t make you any smarter
And ruining Regina George’s life definitely didn't make me any happier
All you can do in life is try to solve the problem in front of you.”- Cady Harron
TIPS
If you feel like you are Cady in the friend dynamic, it is definitely time to leave before you lose yourself completely.