To say that Kristina makes some bad decisions over the course of Crank is kind of an understatement. With one decision to try crank with Adam, she sets in motion a downward spiral of events that nearly destroy her and leave her future completely altered.
But is she really making a continuous stream of bad decisions? Or has the drug changed her ability to think logically and see the situation for what it is? Throughout her story, Kristina gets a bunch of chances to reverse the course of events and turn away from her shady lifestyle, but her desire for the monster seems to overpower her ability to make good choices.
Questions About Choices
- At what points in the book would it be easiest for Kristina to turn back from the path she puts herself on? Why does not do so in these moments? Or does she try to and fail? What does this tell you about her relationship to choice?
- What role does Bree play in the decisions Kristina makes? Could Kristina journey down the road she travels throughout the book without her? Explain your answer using evidence from the text.
- At the beginning of the book, Kristina doesn't have any real interest in drugs or sex. What factors change her mind?
- What is the significance of Kristina's decision to have her baby rather than get an abortion?
Chew on This
Bree is the vehicle that enables Kristina to behave in ways she otherwise wouldn't. In becoming Bree, Kristina tries to rid herself of responsibility for the decisions she makes.
Kristina's choices are driven by desire, and her desire for crank is more powerful than her desire to change.