Graceling ft. Perfume Genius

“She knew that this was her moment to choose. She knew her choice.” The fight scene-turned-love scene in Graceling is composes elements of adrenaline, risk-taking, and breaking boundaries. Katsa decides to take Po as her lover, something that is very revolutionary at the time, especially when she doesn’t show interest in marriage or children. This scene, if in a movie, would best be featured while Perfume Genius’ “Grid” plays in the background. I feel as though the lack of a large amount of lyrics and heavy, repetitive bass line would mirror the heightened heart rates between the two characters. When the lyrics do appear, they mirror the same uncertainty of the future as Katsa views in the people in her life—nothing is permanent for her, and she is okay with people coming and going. The modernity of the tune frames the modernity behind Katsa’s sexual decisions as well, which is very important to grasp in this scene, as well as throughout the book.