Claire Standish is the princess, the Prom Queen, Miss Popularity, a deb, a "richie," the girl who has everything. She's in detention because she skipped school to go shopping.
The director states:
"Having grown up in a childhood world that stressed private rights and liberties, they learned that families may leave you, neighbors may rob you, government may cheat you-but money is always faithful. . . . In sufficient amounts, it can vanquish any foe or deter any predator. Money isn't everything-but for a generation uninvited to most other avenues of social approval, it's the best thing within reach" (114-5).
- This relates to Claire because she values expensive and material things. She realized that family leaves you because her parents are going through a divorce. She realizes that money is always faithful which is why she has her father buy her nice expensive things. Money, shopping, and nice things were what Claire valued. She valued her status so high that sticking to it was more important than continuing to be friends with these new people she made in detention. Money and her popularity were what made her happy.