Manny’s wristwatch, which his parents give to Justyce in the aftermath of their son’s death, embodies the ways in which friendship and support can help a person navigate adversity. It is no coincidence that the only thing Justyce has left of his best friend is something that he wears around his wrist, which was once gouged by the handcuffs Officer Castillo forced upon him. Throughout the novel, Justyce is hyperaware of his wrists, remembering what it felt like to have the cold metal of the handcuffs digging into his skin. At the end of the book, he stands with Jared at Manny’s grave and thinks he can feel Manny’s initials on the underside of the watch as they press gently and reassuringly into his skin. This image of Manny’s initials covering Justyce’s formerly wounded wrist suggests that Stone sees friendship as something that can protect a person from pain. In turn, the wristwatch symbolizes the power of human relationships to lend people a sense of resilience and strength.
Manny’s Wristwatch Symbol Timeline in Dear Martin
