Charlie’s Sister’s Boyfriend Character Analysis

Charlie’s sister casually dates this boy from her school, whom Charlie describes as very nice and respectful. He wears his hair in a ponytail, and makes her hand-decorated mix tapes. One evening, however, he hits Charlie’s sister after she chastises him for not sticking up for himself more. Though they are eventually forbidden from dating once Bill tells Charlie’s parents about the abuse, they date in secret until Charlie’s sister accidentally becomes pregnant. Her boyfriend rejects responsibility and dumps her, leaving Charlie’s sister to arrange for an abortion in secret and by herself. This is yet another character in the novel who is seen by others as an upstanding young man but who handles conflict with violence and shirking of responsibility.