Will's inner voices (we'll call them unhelpful thoughts) are always shining a light on his shortcomings, his moral, psychological, emotional, and social weaknesses in Freewill. He measures himself against a standard that he consistently falls short of, and this causes him to berate himself for things that aren't his fault, convincing himself that there is something inherently "wrong" with who he is. Fortunately, Will eventually realizes that everyone has limitations, and that we all have to accept our failings and imperfections.
In other words, what makes us human doesn't automatically make us weak.
Questions About Weakness
- What does Will believe is his biggest weakness? How does this affect him? Is he correct?
- What are the other characters' weaknesses in Will's opinion? Who does he think is weakest? How do you know?
- What makes Will feel strong again? Use the text to support your claim.
Chew on This
Will initially thinks taking medication is a sign of weakness, but really it's the other way around: Not taking medication is a sign of not having the strength to take good care of himself.
Will actually isn't weak at all; he's just a kid with an uphill battle due to things that have happened in his life.