Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of cursing, sexual content, physical abuse, and death.

Scarlett Vandermeer is the protagonist and first-person narrator of the novel and her distinct point of view dictates the parameters, conflicts, stakes, and themes of the novel. Her view of the world defines the narrative mood as her voice guides the narrative from beginning to end. Over the course of Deep End, the narrative tone evolves from self-critical and withholding to self-accepting and confessional—mirroring Scarlett’s Journey Toward Growth, Healing, and Self-Empowerment.

From the opening chapter, Hazelwood establishes Scarlett as defining herself through her athletic and academic accomplishments. In the narrative present, Scarlett is 21 years old and just starting her junior year at Stanford University where she’s a student-athlete on the diving team and a premed student. For years, she’s gotten straight As and been one of the top divers on her team. However, ever since she injured herself during the NCAA championships freshman year, Scarlett has questioned who she really is and what she’s really capable of.