Piper Bellinger as a Round Character in Tessa Bailey’s It Happened One Summer

Abstract

This study examines Piper Bellinger's character in Tessa Bailey’s novel It Happened One Summer (2021), focusing on her development as a round character in the context of modern romance. The research applies Forster’s idea of round characters and Freud’s theory of the id, ego, and superego to conduct a qualitative analysis of her psychological and behavioral changes. Data were gathered through closed reading and the selection of specific passages that show conflict, decision-making, and self-improvement. The results show that Piper starts off acting based on instinct, showing emotional reliance and a desire for approval from others. However, after losing her comfortable urban lifestyle, she gains self-awareness, takes responsibility, and develops a stronger moral sense. This change indicates a move from acting on impulse to exercising careful decisions, highlighting her complexity as a round character. The study shows that Piper’s growth comes from both internal psychological shifts and external life experiences, not just from a romantic relationship. By examining her development in relation to issues such as privilege, online presence, and emotional distance, this research adds to the field of literary psychology by showing how contemporary romance stories portray personal identity and moral maturation.