Bitter is the New Black

1. Bitter is the New Black Cecilia Bonner

2. Characters Main Characters • Jen Lancaster (narrator) • Fletch Lancaster – Jen’s now-husband

3. Setting • Chicago • Modern Times • City • Very Tense Social Environment • Hot in the summer, cold in the winter

4. Conflict Person vs. Self The main conflict in the book is between Jen herself because she is battling all of her wants and needs and is putting everything that she wants aside, to find a job so that she can support her own frivolous lifestyle and her husband.

5. EXPOSITION In the beginning, Jen is condescending, rude and self-absorbed, but when she loses her job because of these traits, she learns to change herself to support herself and her husband, and to eventually have a family that will be happy and healthy and comfortable.

6. RISING ACTION The part of this book that exhibits rising action is the part where they have to move out of their expensive, classy and status-making apartment, despite their efforts to cut back on their spending. This makes Jen depressed and insecure.

7. CLIMAX In the climax, Jen’s husband Fletch, applies for a job that will secure their once-jet setter status and will make their lives easier. During the climax, there is a lot of painful waiting and they have nothing to fall back on.

8. FALLING ACTION Fletch gets the job, and Jen and her now-husband are happy again, and now much more appreciative and frugal about their spending.

9. RESOLUTION They are back to their old ways, with better taste and more careful spending. They are happier and more connected than ever.