Character Clues
Character Analysis
Thoughts and Opinions
The First Part Last is narrated by Bobby, and a big part of how we get to know Bobby and his world is through his thoughts and opinions. In fact, the majority of the novel is Bobby's thoughts and opinions. He's a deep kid—he thinks about things like Nia, the baby, what the right thing to do is, and how to be a better father. But the key is that he doesn't actually say a lot of what's on his mind. Bobby keeps his mouth shut, but luckily he also keeps his mind wide open for us.
In some cases, though, Bobby wants to speak up, but doesn't. For example:
My stomach is hurting by the time that question is out of his mouth and into the air. I don't say: it's not up to me. I don't say: whatever I want, I can't say. My dad already told me now was the time to shut my mouth. What Nia wants is what it's all about.
No pressure. (10.37-38)
Here we see that Bobby wants to tell Nia and his dad what he thinks and wants. But as Bobby understands it, now's not the time, so he keeps his thoughts to himself. Luckily for us readers, we know what's up, thanks to having front-row seats to Bobby's brain.
Speech and Dialogue
There's not a ton of speech and dialogue in the novel. Even Bobby's friends don't really talk about the serious stuff, like when Bobby tells them that Nia is pregnant:
"What do you want us to say?" J. L. said, looking kind of sorry he'd been an asshole a few minutes ago.
"Nothing," I say, and turn to watch the little kids running around the rec center playground. (10.19-20)
Yeah, not exactly a free-flowing conversation, right? But that doesn't mean this doesn't reveal character: Time and again, we see Bobby and the people in his world getting by with as few words as possible. So though they clearly care about each other, we also recognize that Bobby and the people he in his life aren't super expressive when it comes to their feelings. This isn't a touchy-feely bunch, but a group of people who put their heads down and do what needs to be done.
Heck, his mom can't even say goodbye to him; Bobby catches her "rocking Feather and telling her to mind me and take care of me" (31.5). Bobby gets the message, though: His mama loves him.
Actions
While The First Part Last is a thinking novel, the actions characters take in it reveal what they value. For instance, Bobby's mom, Mary, refuses to step in and mother Feather. When Bobby moves back in with his dad, he explains:
Mom always shut hers tight. She says so she would be tempted to do what most grandmothers do. Take over.
There still are a bunch of times I want her to take over, even more than I feel right about having. But she never does. (23.5-6)
It's a big deal that Mary doesn't take over—she doesn't let Bobby off easy as a parent, instead insisting that he be the parent he's chosen to be. From where she's sitting, Bobby made a choice, and now he has to deal with the consequences.
Bobby's actions also reveal what he values. There are tons of times that he wants to be a kid again, to spend time with his friends or check out a new video arcade—but he doesn't. We're told:
Some kids my age are hanging around this arcade I've been wanting to check out, but haven't had the time, and probably won't ever have. (25.27)
Bobby could go—he could leave Feather, or take her with him—but he chooses not to, and instead, he takes care of Feather. So even though Bobby worries about whether or not he's going to be a good father, we recognize that he already is a good father. His actions prove it.