novel, we are introduced to Jean as she faces an official, Miss Blair, at a refuge facility where she is expected to conform to traditional feminine roles. Jean rejects the constraints imposed on her gender identity, insisting on being called "Jack." This defiance sets the tone for her character as someone deeply at odds with societal norms. Through her interactions with Miss Blair and her recollections of family tensions, we learn about her complex relationship with her mother and sister, along with the misunderstandings that led her to the refuge. The opening establishes a tense emotional landscape that promises a journey of self-discovery and rebellion against the expectations of womanhood placed upon her. (This is an automatically generated summary.)