Victor is reaching adolescence in the summer of Paperboy, and because he's growing up, he starts to look at his world a little differently. Over the course of a summer, Victor starts to form opinions about the world around him—he finds that he doesn't like the way Mam is treated because she's a black woman, and that he has been more trusting of people than he should be. He also learns that his family isn't what he thought it was, and his father isn't actually his real father.
In the face of all of this troubling news, though, Victor also meets Mr. Spiro and is introduced to a world of self-discovery and knowledge through books and experiences. It's a big summer altogether, and Victor is not the same kid by the end of it. You might even say he's a young man.
Questions About Coming of Age
- Why does Victor decide to take over Rat's paper route? Does he accomplish what he sets out to accomplish? Why or why not?
- What kinds of adults does Victor come into contact with throughout the summer? Who are some of the best role models and why? How about some of the worst? How do they all influence him?
- How does Victor overcome his fears over the course of the summer?
Chew on This
By forcing himself outside his comfort zone and taking on new responsibilities during the summer, Victor comes to understand more of himself.
The summer brings some unpleasant revelations for Victor—like the fact that his father isn't related to him, and that he can't trust everyone—but in the end, these experiences help him to grow up.