The Thing About Georgie

Andy’s bedroom and its evolution throughout the novel function as a motif for the theme of Prevailing Through the Hardships of Friendship. At the beginning of the novel, when Georgie and Andy first begin to encounter conflict over Andy’s friendship with Russ, Andy’s room is divided with a curtain, as he must share it with Nonna Rosa. This division represents the division between Georgie and Andy on the topic of Russ coming into their dog-walking business. This topic ultimately leads to the end of their friendship in Chapter 9 when Georgie gives Andy an ultimatum, forcing Andy to choose between Georgie and Russ. Andy replies, “Then I won’t be your friend anymore. And by the way, we’re moving this summer, and I hope it’s really far away so I never have to see you again!” (78). Andy’s declaration of the end of their friendship and the end of him living near Georgie solidifies Andy’s room as a representation of their friendship. No longer divided, Georgie and Andy are completely separated, just like Andy’s room is now potentially going away forever.

In Chapter 20, as Georgie and Andy are reconciling their friendship, Andy reveals that his family is not moving; instead, they will be building a new room in their house.