Nicholas Mejia

RRJ Chapter 7
Summary:
Throughout chapter 7, the narrator discusses their friendship with Duchess, who we met in chapter 5.
When they met, Angie already had a best friend but Duchess theory why chase a bus when another
ones right around the corner? made her lose that friend and replace her with Duchess. However, it is
foreshadowed that the same theory will get rid of Duchess. Angie then wanted to look for a job at the
Glendale Galleria which she knew Duchess would not approve of because it seemed Angie thought she
was too good for Echo Park. They didnt speak until graduation where Angie met Duchess then
boyfriend Juan who was more into Angie but she refused to date him based on the fact that Duchess
was her best friend. Eventually the two best friends drifted apart and Duchess was murdered at her job;
Juan and Angie eventually got together and became engaged. By the end of the chapter it is revealed
that Angie is actually pregnant.
Response:
This chapter, as well as many others, shows that there are really two sides to every story. Felicia and
Hector both had two very separate sides to their story as do Juan and Angie. They were both two very
different individuals before they met. Angie seems to attach herself to anyone shes around such as
Duchess when she started to copy her sayings and mannerisms. It seems that she is not comfortable in
her own skin because she wants to be just like Gwen Stefani. I can see what Duchess means when she
says that Angie seems like shes too good for Echo Park. Especially when she gets her degree from UCLA
because she seems as if shes too good to work for the bank but then comes to her senses and ends up
working at McDonalds because she knows that any job is better than the one she currently has: being
unemployed. I think eventually Angie grows to be her own person; even though, Gwen Stefani still has a
huge influence on her, it isnt as strong as before.
Questions:
1. Why do you think Angie doesnt take the job at the bank?
2. Why do you think Duchess never told Angie her real name?
Reading Process:
I thought this chapter was truly interesting due to the fact of the repetition of the Gwen Stefani sonly
that sets the mood for the chapter. I did read this chapter while on the bus and I thought it would be
hard to concentrate but I guess it was so interesting that I had no problem reading it while people were
screaming around me. I liked the contrast between Duchess and Angie. Angie strives for success and her
way to the top while Duchess is fine staying somewhere in the middle. I think Duchess passiveness
could have rubbed off more on Angie because she never seems to be very passive at all. I see Gwen
Stefanis influence on Angie because whether it be her coworker or Duchess, there is an underlying
feeling of Gwen underneath it all.

Good Words:
1. Affluent- having an abundance of wealth.
In this chapter they use this word to not mean wealth as in money as it usually does but to mean wealth
in spirit.
2. Glendale Galleria- a major shopping center in Glendale.
I chose this word because it is one of the many familiar settings to me in this novel because I have been
to this place many times.
3. Gait- a manner of walking, running, or stepping.
I like how the author used a term that is usually used to describe a horse, to describe the ways of
Duchess.