Guide Mentor

Character Role Analysis

Bill Bonham (Joe's father), Christ, New Nurse

Fathers in literature tend to be mentors. They might be bad mentors, but they are mentors nonetheless. In Joe's case, his father becomes someone he at once admires and shies away from in his own life. Even though Joe clearly loves his father, he is a model of something not to be: soft, sensitive, financially poor, and someone who dies young. Of course, the irony is that Joe ends up much worse off.

Christ in the story is a figure who preaches the truth about war and death. 'Nuff said.

The new nurse is the one who finally attempts to read Joe's signals, and therefore she aids Joe on his quest to be heard, even if her help is ultimately unsuccessful.