The Family Under The Bridge

The theme of found families is often present in literature and typically applies to characters who lack traditional family structures. There are many reasons why a character may not have a “traditional” family—some characters may be orphaned, some may find themselves living far away from their families, some may be estranged or rejected by their families, and others may live on the margins of society. Found families consist of close, loving relationships between people who are not related. Often, these characters meet within the story, as is the case with Armand and the Calcets; other times, these characters are introduced with their bonds already established. In many cases, a “found family” fulfills the characters’ needs for belonging, love, and community. A found family can also enhance a character’s self-esteem and give them a sense of purpose.

Armand has no family of his own. In the earliest chapters, Armand takes pride in this, seeing the lack as a sign of his freedom to live life on his own terms. Having a family, to him, would mean being tied down to a single location and burdened with endless responsibilities. He claims to hate children, though Mireli, the woman who reads his fortune, suggests that Armand actually fears “the sly little things will steal [his] heart if they find out [he] has one” (5).