Charlie Donahue Character Analysis

Charlie is one of Finch’s best friends. He’s an athletic Black boy, but because he doesn’t want to be “a Black stereotype,” Charlie refuses to join any sports teams at school and instead joins the chess club. He also believes that sex is the answer to nearly every problem; when Finch returns from his five-week “Asleep” (depressive episode), Charlie insists that Finch needs to have sex so he can get back to living. Charlie, like Finch’s other friend Brenda, never questions Finch when he disappears or skips school—to him, Finch’s disappearances and erratic behavior are normal. After Finch commits suicide, Charlie is incensed and offended by how others in their class talk about and respond to Finch’s death. He’s especially upset when kids who bullied Finch cry at Finch’s funeral.