Before I Fall

by

Lauren Oliver

Tara Flute Character Analysis

The de facto leader of the “Pugs” clique—secretly named so by Lindsay Edgecombe, who believes that Tara and her friends Courtney and Bethany are pretty from far away and ugly up close. The girls are on the fringes of Lindsay and Sam’s social circle, and are in awe of Lindsay, Sam, Ally, and Elody, desperate to become closer to them.
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Tara Flute Character Timeline in Before I Fall

The timeline below shows where the character Tara Flute appears in Before I Fall. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 1 
Popularity, Status, and Social Capital Theme Icon
Cruelty and Loyalty in Friendship and Love Theme Icon
...class to pass out roses. Sam receives three—one from Elody, one from a girl named Tara Flute who is on the fringes of Sam’s friend group, and one from Rob. “Happy... (full context)
Popularity, Status, and Social Capital Theme Icon
Cruelty and Loyalty in Friendship and Love Theme Icon
In seventh grade, at a pool party at Tara Flute’s house, Lindsay pulled Sam upstairs into Tara’s room to show her two tampons she... (full context)
Chapter 4
Fate vs. Agency Theme Icon
Popularity, Status, and Social Capital Theme Icon
Cruelty and Loyalty in Friendship and Love Theme Icon
Sam hears someone calling her name—she turns around to see three girls coming toward her. Tara Flute, Bethany Harps, and Courtney Walker are a trio of friends Lindsay refers to as... (full context)
Fate vs. Agency Theme Icon
Popularity, Status, and Social Capital Theme Icon
...listen to her story rapturously, and Sam feels a renewed burst of confidence. Sam asks Tara if they can stop at Sam’s house on the way, and Tara agrees. At Sam’s... (full context)
Fate vs. Agency Theme Icon
Rebirth, Renewal, and Redemption Theme Icon
...for an obscure German name. The saleswoman begrudgingly processes the transaction while Courtney, Beth, and Tara look on in awe. (full context)
Fate vs. Agency Theme Icon
...they leave the lot, they see a group of four guys driving next to them—when Tara remarks that the guys are “so hot,” Sam lifts her shirt and flashes them, and... (full context)
Popularity, Status, and Social Capital Theme Icon
At Tara’s house, the girls help Sam put on her fancy new clothes and accessories. Sam is... (full context)
Popularity, Status, and Social Capital Theme Icon
Cruelty and Loyalty in Friendship and Love Theme Icon
The moment is ruined when Tara bounds up the stairs and pulls Sam back down to get some liquor—they come to... (full context)