Big Summer

Social media impacts the wellbeing of the characters. It is used for both good and malicious intent throughout the novel.

Daphne finds a like-minded community of women who try to uplift themselves and one another through posting about body positivity. Social media, in some ways, saves Daphne. She turns to social media at her lowest point; the other plus-sized women who show off their body with pride inspire her. These social media accounts are formative in giving her the confidence to break up with Drue and begin her journey toward embracing her body. Online, Daphne sees how women reclaim bodies that they had hidden away and that were shamed by society. Daphne connects to others who experience the world like her; she realizes she is not alone. Daphne has been so accustomed to being around skinny women like Drue that it had not occurred to her that her body is not abnormal. Daphne is inspired to contribute to the online community. Social media can be equalizing: It doesn’t necessarily matter who or what you are; you can express yourself and contribute. By turning herself into a body positivity role model, Daphne is forced to commit herself to the process of loving herself.