Character Analysis
(Avoiding Spoilers)
Grew up… faster than most teenagers. Around Ridgemont High, Linda's known as a sexual sage who's always ready to offer advice for younger, less experienced girls. “It’s no huge thing,” she says. “It’s just sex.”
Visiting… her friend Stacy's house. Little does Linda know that Stacy’s older brother has a thing for her—especially when Linda's wearing her tight red bikini.
Profession… waitress at a restaurant in the mall. Though she’s still a senior at Ridgemont High, the airheaded Linda doesn’t spend much of her time studying.
Interests… boys, sex, and dating. Linda’s favorite topic of conversation is boys, but that doesn’t necessarily make her a romantic. "You want romance?” she asks incredulously, after Stacy confesses her desire for a relationship. “In Ridgemont? We can’t even get cable TV here, Stacy, and you want romance?!”
Relationship Status… in a relationship with an older man named Doug, who works for an airline in Chicago. To the great disappointment of her male classmates, Linda seems to have a thing for older men.
Challenge… successfully coaching Stacy through her first sexual experience. When the virginal Stacy decides she needs to get some experience, Linda finds herself playing the role of cheerleader to the younger girl. Linda, it turns out, has a huge influence over her friend, but it's unclear whether or not Linda's advice is what the young romantic needs.
Personality… sophisticated and experienced…sort of. Linda likes to talk a big game when it comes to sex and dating, but the truth is that she’s just as lost as Stacy.
Get to Know her in...
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Follows a group of high school students growing up in southern California, based on the real-life adventures chronicled by Cameron Crowe. Stacy Hamilton and Mark Ratner are looking for a love interest, and are helped along by their older classmates, Linda Barrett and Mike Damone, respectively. The center of the film is held by Jeff Spicoli, a perpetually stoned surfer dude who faces off with the resolute Mr. Hand, who is convinced that everyone is on dope.
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Welcome to lunch court. That's Spicoli over there, trying hard to unwrap a bologna sandwich. His eyes are still red-rimmed from the three bowls of dope he smoked after his morning surf. Stacy Hamilton doesn't look any different even though she finally lost her virginity last night. Linda Barrett, Stacy's best bud, wants to hear all about it. After all, she gives lessons. And here comes Brad Hamilton, king of the lunch court and prince of the fast-food employee hierarchy. Brad's guy who takes pride in his fries. Mike Damone takes pride in the Attitude, which he developed in Philly, his hometown, where "life is cheap." And here's that wussy Mark Ratner. Girls make him sweat. He'll do more than sweat when he turns up in the yearbook class picture with something missing.
