#probably cringe

I will say. I acknowledge she is far from perfect, however I don't think she deserves all of the hate she receives... Like yeah, if you don't like her that's valid and I get where you're coming from, but I think most people don't take the time to even TRY to understand her. Some people will have different interpretations than others and it's great to explore that! I just think the discussion tends to lean more towards her relationship with Arthur than anything else and that's where we fall short.

I often hear how Arthur's actions are influenced by the time period and the conditions he was raised in: his view of women being different from ours today due to the cultural aspect of how it was back then, and the fact he grew up with an atypical family structure given his mom's passing and his responsibility to watch over Percy. But I don't often hear the same for Sally in these conversations. Sally internalizes many of the messages we hear from her mother in the memories, such as the repeated theme of fitting into her societal role as a woman and appealing to the male view, as well as her perception of men entirely. She enjoys attention, probably in part due to her sour relationship with her mother. Unable to have her needs met at home, she sought them out other places, in other people. After her family passed, and she moved in with the Hastings, once again she sought attention she couldn't previously have. I don't think she ever expected that attention seeking to turn into what it did. She was 16. And I am aware different parts of the world have different ages they consider to be legal adults, but at 16 you're still acting on impulse, you're still growing and developing and learning.

I'm aware it's a big divide in players about the perspectives switching from Act 1 to Act 2, and who should be believed. They're both biased, which I think gives great insight into each of their characters.

We'll never know exactly what was truly said in each conversation. But we do know how the two perceived the interaction, and how when they talk about their respective feelings it's more genuine to how they really feel. At the first cutscene with both Arthur and Sally in Act 1, after Arthur shouts "How could you?", Sally lists physical traits about Mr. Hastings, ex "that adorable beard", demonstrating Arthur's beliefs about what he believes her motivations were, hearing his own thoughts and feelings of betrayal through her voice. But in Act 2, the reasons given by Sally were moreso about the attention she was given, ex "because he said he loved me".

"Sometimes things just happen whether you want them to or not" is a line I think most people don't sit with long enough.

While she doesn't outwardly express regret about what happened, moreso about the resulting consequences and her expulsion from the Hastings' home, I think it's wild to pin the blame almost entirely on her and not on Arthur's father, a 30/40 something year old man interested in his son's best friend, a 16 year old girl. "how could YOU?"

Another line I think people gloss over. "How was I supposed to tell him no? I didn't have anywhere else to go". Again, everything everyone says is biased. But, it helps in understanding her reasoning given that at least from her perspective, it was Mr. Hastings that initiated the encounter. Sure, she agreed, but she did so out of fear that if she were to reject him, she could lose her new home, not long after losing her family. She wanted attention, and she dug herself too deep into a hole to escape.

I don't understand those who fail to emphasize with her, even the smallest amount. Picture this; your mom, who you don't have a great relationship with, has just poisoned your sisters, your father, and herself, leaving you with no family and nobody to take care of you. Your entire life you have been told you must be the kind of girl a man will want, and you thrive on male attention. Now, you move in with your guy best friend's family. His dad becomes like your dad, his family stepping in to give you a place you so desperately need. It feels nice. Until, that trust is betrayed when you're forced into a position where saying no could cost you your newfound home. Your whole life you've been taught that's all men want, anyway.

Now, 14 years later, Sally has a whole new range of things to deal with. She's grown up, she isn't vulnerable like she was before. As an adult, she makes her own decisions, for example, being able to leave her relationship with Verloc after feeling mistreated, and being able to ask favors of Byng. She knows what she's doing.

Part of why I appreciate Sally's character so much is her upbringing puppeteering the way she thinks and acts, yet her determination to break the cycle. Despite her own mishap leading to her pregnancy, she refuses to let herself become her mother, at least to Gwen. Multiple times even throughout Act 2, Sally's trauma with her family's passing is practically shoved in her face. Two separate instances of cults brewing poison, and she of all people is tasked with intervening in both. How does she react? Strength. She must get through this for Gwen. Not for herself, but for her baby.

And my favorite part? Her willingness to look to the future, which is something a lot of people miss. What's done is done, there's no changing the past. So, she makes do with what she has and strives for a better life, both for her and Gwen. She deserves her happy ending.