Character Clues

Character Analysis

Physical Appearance

After their mother's death, both Jude and Noah dramatically change their appearances to distance themselves from their old lives. Part of their makeovers involve that age-old rite of passage: getting a miserable haircut.

For Noah, that means getting rid of his long curly hair. "This Noah also goes out with girls, keeps his hair buzzed and tidy, hangs out at The Spot, watches sports with Dad," all of which indicate a "death of the spirit," according to Jude. (4.26) Jude, too, cuts her signature long blonde locks. "I cut off three feet of blond hair and swore away boys forever," she tells us. (2.189) (Forever? Forever ever?)

Clothing

Clothing is a clue to many characters' states of mind. Jude used to wear short skirts and high heels. After her mother's death, according to Grandma Sweetwine, Jude starts "dressing like a life-size rutabaga." (2.131) Whatever that means, it don't sound pretty.

Also depressed, her father wears clothes that hang off him like a "scarecrow." (4.55)

And when Dianna goes to see her secret lover, Guillermo, she dresses "like a fortune-teller" in bright colors, whereas "she usually dresses like a black-and-white movie." (5.69) Hmm. Wonder who she's happier with?

Props

In the chapters where he's 14, you'll rarely find Noah without his sketchpad. There's not a trace of it to be found two years later (in Jude's chapters), indicating a big change in his life. Jude carries a variety of strange items—including onions, beans, and sandfish—in her pockets for "protection." Like wearing a garlic necklace to thwart vampires, she seems to be trying to ward off her own sadness. (It doesn't work.)

Finally, our favorite: Brian and his rock bag. "He carries pieces of the galaxy around in a bag," says Noah. (3.123) Cause he's dreamy. You get it.