For a character defined by internal darkness and supernatural possession, a smile is a rare moment of vulnerability or human connection. A paper could analyze how these moments contrast with her otherwise "haunted" persona.

Her smile represents a desperate pursuit of a "picture-perfect" suburban life. The "Vanessa smiles" moment here is often performative, masking the faults that drive her desires.

Argue that "Vanessa smiles" is a narrative shorthand for the rare intersection of a character's power and their vulnerability.

Analyzing how authors use minor actions, like a nervous picking habit or white teeth against Chapstick, to make a smile more vivid.