Maybe that was the real Bernice, I thought - kind and innocent. Maybe she was truly like that inside, and all the fighting we used to do and all her sharp and unpleasant edges - that was her way of struggling to get out of the hard skin she'd grown all over herself like a beetle shell. But no matter how she hit out and raged, she'd been stuck in there. That thought made me feel so sorry for her that I cried.
The protagonist reflects on Bernice's character, contemplating the possibility that her aggressive demeanor is just a façade hiding her true, gentle self. The narrator considers that perhaps beneath Bernice's tough exterior lies an innocent nature, struggling to break free from the emotional barriers she has developed over time. This realization evokes a sense of empathy for Bernice, revealing the internal conflict she faces.
This emotional insight leads to a profound moment of sorrow for the narrator, as they recognize the pain Bernice endures despite her outward hostility. The comparison to a beetle shell symbolizes the protective but confining layers surrounding her true identity. Ultimately, this moment highlights the theme of hidden vulnerability beneath a hardened exterior, encouraging a deeper understanding of human struggle and the complexity of relationships.
