Will Grayson, Will Grayson Theme of Identity

Who are you? Sure, you could start by saying your name, but that doesn't really even begin to cover it. As our two Will Graysons find out, a name doesn't make the man—each Will Grayson is a unique and special snowflake. So who are you really? You may share some things in common with other people, but we're all different deep down. Probably the toughest part of both Wills' journeys in Will Grayson, Will Grayson is figuring out—and making peace with—who they are. Do they have it all sorted in the end? Nah. But they're both way clearer and comfortable with their identities than either Will Grayson starts out.

Questions About Identity

  1. Compare and contrast will and Tiny. Why do you think will is so down on himself, while Tiny is so thrilled to be Tiny?
  2. Does it make sense that will loves Isaac but doesn't really like Maura? Is Maura a different person when she's Isaac? Is will a different person when he talks to Isaac? Back your claim with evidence from the book.
  3. Have you ever met someone who had the exact same name as you? Did it blow your mind? Yeah, we thought so. Now tell us all about it and how it compares to the Will Graysons' experiences.

Chew on This

Try on an opinion or two, start a debate, or play the devil’s advocate.

Will Grayson gets a fake ID because he's sort of a fake himself—he's not letting his true identity out to Jane or Tiny.

Tiny and Will Grayson are meant to be together… which is probably why Tiny is so drawn to guys named Will Grayson.