

Although it is controversial, the idea of self-consciousness persists and is addressed in A Bad Case of Stripes. He concluded that identity is linked to consciousness of self. The philosophy of personal identity has occupied many minds throughout history including the philosopher John Locke, who spent a great deal of time considering what it means to have an identity. Thus the question must be asked, is she still Camilla Cream? She is always called “Camilla,” but it seems that by the time she has morphed into the walls of her room, there is really no recognizable Camilla left. In this way, the function of identity is raised: is it something one defines for oneself or is it something that is defined by others? Throughout the book, Camilla visibly and physically changes many times. At some point, Camilla becomes almost unrecognizable, and though she does not appear to lose her sense of self, our perception of her changes. The story raises the question of whether or not it is important to care about what people think, as well as what the consequences of such worrying are.

Whatever they say about her becomes reflected in her, and, subsequently, Camilla realizes she has to be true to herself and her own desires. The careful reader or listener will realize that Camilla’s body is trying to please everybody she meets, thus making her a victim to the power of suggestion. This continues until one woman, in a misguided attempt to cure her, tells Camilla to “become one with room.” At this point, Camilla appears to merge with the walls and bed of her room. When Camilla goes to school the day after the stripes appear, she and her classmates realize that whatever they say to her becomes a pattern on her skin.
BAD CASE OF STRIPES COSTUME SKIN
In fact, her insecurity manifests itself by turning her skin stripy. Philosophically speaking, the book deals with the issue of identity, spun in several different ways.Ĭamilla is introduced as a girl who worries a lot about what people think of her and whether they like her, and as a result, her sense of self is highly malleable. The core theme of A Bad Case of Stripes is learning to be yourself and being comfortable in your own skin… literally. CeCe Guidelines for Philosophical Discussion When the doctor, specialists, experts, and many others cannot figure out what’s causing the stripes, a little old woman appears with what just might be the cure. On the first day of school, Camilla wakes up to find herself completely covered in rainbow stripes! If the stripes were not bad enough, Camilla’s skin develops everything people suggest she has – someone says “checkerboards,” another says “bacteria,” and she breaks out in checkerboard pattern and bacteria tails. Questions for Philosophical Discussion » Summary This is a story of an insecure girl who learns to be happy with her identity.Ī Bad Case of Stripes is the story of Camilla Cream, a girl who loves lima beans and worries about others’ opinions of her.
