So B. It

Truth-telling and its relationship to self-definition is a strong theme in the novel, and several characters including Heidi are on the giving or receiving end of a lie or fib. Ironically, some characters like Mama and Elliot, with their challenged level of intelligence, are not capable of lying; those with the trait of intelligence, however, lie to deceive others or to cover the truth.

Heidi has a high regard for honesty but struggles with it in difficult situations. She tells significant lies twice in the novel—once to Bernie to conceal the purchase of the bus ticket and once in a collection of untruths to Alice Wilinsky. Both times, she expresses regret and remorse. Both times, the lies occur in situations that are difficult for Heidi. For example, in buying the bus ticket, Heidi faces the fact that she must go alone to Liberty. Heidi acknowledges after acquiring the bus ticket that she never lied to Bernie before; she also comes clean as soon as she is home from the purchase: “I didn’t like the way lying made me feel, so I was anxious to set it straight as soon as I got home” (86). Alice’s companionship is initially comforting, but Alice inadvertently causes Heidi distress with her chatter about family and birthdays, difficult topics which prompt Heidi to fib.