More Happy Than Not

Aaron is the novel’s protagonist and narrator. There are several strong traits that comprise his characterization, and the narrative works to show how these traits evolve as Aaron does. One significant aspect of Aaron’s character is his romanticism. Aaron may not be romantic in a traditional sense, but it is present in his approach to life. Significantly, Aaron is an artist, a pursuit that is widely associated with romanticism. His preferred medium is the comic book or graphic novel, which relies heavily on graphics and minimal text to convey complex ideas and relationships. For additional examples of Aaron’s romanticism, consider his history of gift-giving: His Christmas gift to Collin was a subscription to a comic series they could enjoy together; his birthday gift to Thomas was the Buzz Lightyear toy that Thomas’s father never came home from getting; the party he threw for Thomas was a gift, too, in that it addressed one of Thomas’s unfulfilled emotional needs.

Another important aspect of Aaron’s character is his feeling of self-loathing and worthlessness. Aaron is insecure about his sexuality, his looks, his artistic skills, his artistic preferences, his socioeconomic status, his home, and his value to the people in his life.