Paper Things

Content Warning: This section of the guide contains descriptions of homelessness, stigma, and discrimination against people without a home, including violence and verbal abuse. It also contains content related to childhood bullying and bereavement.

Ari is the protagonist and narrator of Paper Things. The novel explores and portrays the nature of homelessness through Ari’s experience and through her perception of others’ experiences. The depth and complexity of her character emphasize the individuality and value of people who are without homes.

Ari is 11 years old when she leaves home with her older brother, Gage, unaware that they have nowhere to go. Ari is a semi-unreliable narrator because she is so young and does not fully understand what is going on around her. Her account is honest, however, and her feelings and experiences are generally transparent to the reader. Ari becomes increasingly exhausted and enters a state of delirium at one point while sick, causing her narrative to become less coherent. Ari is loyal to her brother because he is her last remaining family member and because she made a promise to her mother to always stick with him. Ari struggles to speak up for herself and doesn’t tell Gage or Janna how she feels about leaving.