Keyword Guide · study-guide
Chapters 3 and 4 of One of Us Is Lying deepen the mystery by shifting perspectives and raising new suspicions. These chapters focus on how the remaining students react after the shocking death and how secrets begin to surface.
Chapter 3 is told from Nate’s point of view. Readers learn more about his troubled background, including his family situation and reputation at school. Nate is immediately viewed as suspicious because of his past, but his thoughts suggest he is more complex than others assume. This chapter highlights how quickly assumptions form and how social labels affect judgment.
Chapter 4 shifts to Bronwyn’s perspective. She is focused on maintaining her perfect academic image while coping with fear and uncertainty. Bronwyn becomes aware that private information about her could be revealed, increasing the tension. Her internal conflict shows the pressure of expectations and the cost of hiding mistakes.
These chapters expand the contrast between Nate and Bronwyn. Nate is judged for his past, while Bronwyn fears losing her future. Both characters have secrets, which supports the novel’s central question: who is truly innocent? The alternating viewpoints encourage readers to question first impressions.
Major themes include secrecy, reputation, and bias. Pay attention to how authority figures and students respond differently to each character. Small details about motives, behavior, and hidden information serve as early clues that may become important later in the novel.
They develop key characters and establish how suspicion forms around each student, which drives the mystery forward.
Nate is defined by his past mistakes, while Bronwyn is defined by pressure to be perfect, showing two different kinds of vulnerability.
Focus on character motivations, how secrets influence behavior, and how point of view shapes reader perception.
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