In Chapter 1 of "A Wrinkle in Time," Meg Murry's feelings of being an oddball are introduced through her internal dialogue and her interactions with her family. One of the primary reasons Meg feels different is her struggles with academics, particularly in school. The chapter opens with Meg’s frustration about her performance in algebra, indicating that she does not fit in with her peers: “They were probably already thinking of her as a failure because she was too stupid to get the problems right.” This highlights her self-perception and comparison to others, contributing to her sense of alienation.
Furthermore, Meg's relationship with her family underscores her feelings of being an oddball. While the Murry family is supportive, Meg feels that her siblings, particularly Charles Wallace, possess qualities that set them apart from others, making her feel even more isolated. Charles is described as highly intelligent and eccentric, which adds to Meg's sense of insecurity: “But Charles Wallace was different, and they all knew it.” This distinction between hers and her siblings’ abilities amplifies her feelings of inadequacy and reinforces her belief that she does not belong.
Finally, the chapter makes it clear that Meg is entering adolescence, a time marked by insecurity and self-doubt. Her worries about fitting in with her classmates and her preoccupation with their opinions further illustrate her feelings of oddity. The mention of her troubled thoughts and her conflicted feelings about her appearance and social status shows that she grapples with typical teenage insecurities, but in a manner that feels more pronounced. As she reflects on her situation, her thoughts capture the essence of her feelings of being different, reinforcing her identity as an oddball in a world that seems to expect conformity.