Cady and Janis’s Friendship

Mean Girls

Cady Heron and Janis Ian’s alliance forms through kindness and shared purpose, breaks under deception and revenge, and cautiously resumes through honesty.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

The First Welcome The First Welcome from "Mean Girls". The First Welcome A Helpful Detour Janis Ian and Damian take Cady Heron outside under the pretext of finding a classroom.

The First Welcome from "Mean Girls". The First Welcome A Helpful Detour Janis Ian and Damian take Cady Heron outside under the pretext of finding a classroom.

The First Welcome A Helpful Detour Janis Ian and Damian take Cady Heron outside under the pretext of finding a classroom. The trick becomes a kindness to a student overwhelmed by school. A Place to Sit They explain the social landscape and offer Cady friendship. Their welcome is the first time she feels chosen by peers in her new life.

A Friendship with a Secret A Friendship with a Secret from "Mean Girls". A Friendship with a Secret Janis’s Request Janis asks Cady to spy on the Plastics and report what Regina George says.

A Friendship with a Secret from "Mean Girls". A Friendship with a Secret Janis’s Request Janis asks Cady to spy on the Plastics and report what Regina George says.

A Friendship with a Secret Janis’s Request Janis asks Cady to spy on the Plastics and report what Regina George says. Cady accepts because she values Janis’s friendship and wants to help. Unequal Knowledge Cady withholds information about the Burn Book and grows closer to Regina. The secret complicates the uncomplicated welcome Janis initially offered.

Growing Apart Growing Apart from "Mean Girls". Growing Apart Fewer Visits Cady spends most of her attention on the Plastics and talks about Regina constantly.

Growing Apart from "Mean Girls". Growing Apart Fewer Visits Cady spends most of her attention on the Plastics and talks about Regina constantly.

Growing Apart Fewer Visits Cady spends most of her attention on the Plastics and talks about Regina constantly. Janis notices the change and invites her to an art show. Neglected Trust Cady dismisses the invitation and invents another commitment. Their friendship becomes a secondary obligation, even while Cady continues thinking of herself as Janis’s ally.

The House-Party Rupture The House-Party Rupture from "Mean Girls". The House-Party Rupture The Accusation Janis confronts Cady for becoming a Plastic and forgetting her friends.

The House-Party Rupture from "Mean Girls". The House-Party Rupture The Accusation Janis confronts Cady for becoming a Plastic and forgetting her friends.

The House-Party Rupture The Accusation Janis confronts Cady for becoming a Plastic and forgetting her friends. Cady responds that Janis made her this way to carry out revenge. The Canvas Janis throws Cady a portrait of the person she once was. The image makes their conflict painful because it preserves the affection beneath their anger.

Reconciliation at Spring Fling

Reconciliation at Spring Fling Testing the Friendship Cady asks whether she and Janis are still fighting. Janis asks whether Cady is still an asshole, forcing the question of change rather than innocence. A Careful Yes Cady says she does not think so, and Janis agrees they are okay. Their reconciliation is tentative, grounded in candor and humor.

during Cady Heron’s second school day

after Regina George invites Cady to lunch

after Cady Heron’s makeover

after one in the morning at Cady Heron’s party

late in the final Spring Fling