Character Clues

Character Analysis

Family Life

Will has two parents who love and care about him. They're both doctors and they just want what's best for him—especially if that means following in their footsteps. Will doesn't have a bad relationship with his parents, but he does need to know that it's okay to do his own thing:

I say, "What if I didn't want to go to that program at Northwestern? Or what if I don't get in?"

"Well, then I would stop loving you," he says. He keeps a straight face for a second, then laughs and unmutes the TV. (15.44-45)

In short, Will has the support he needs, which leaves him free to focus on the problems of growing up because no one's dragging him down on the home front.

will, on the other hand, only has one parent hanging around—his mom—and this bums him out sometimes:

i could remind her that not all guys are dickheads like my dad, but she perversely hates it when i say bad things about him. she's probably just worried about the day i'll wake up and realize half my genes are so geared toward being a bastard that i'll wish i was a bastard. well, mom, guess what—that day came a long time ago. (4.52)

will's dad isn't the cause of all his issues, but he sort of hovers there in the background. will can't quite figure out why he left, and his mom really doesn't want to talk about it. While his mom is obviously a loving and supportive parent who's trying really hard to raise a good kid (she nails will coming out to her), his dad's disappearance is something that's tough for will to accept and deal with. It sets him apart from other happy families (like Will's and Tiny's) and shows that he's had things just a little bit tougher. No wonder he keeps to himself when we first meet him.

Names

Obviously names are a big deal in this one. After all, our two main characters share the same name. And Tiny is kind of onto something when he says he can't change Phil Wrayson's last name because the character needs to "let the rays of sunlight in" (11.21). Both Will Graysons all need to let some "grace in" and experience love in all its splendor. And they do.

The whole double name thing also brings up a whole bunch of questions about identity. Who are we exactly? Is anyone unique? Can two people who share the same name be on the same journey? The answer, we think, is yes.

Tiny's name is a little different because it's sort of meant to be funny and highlight how he's always been different from other people. Tiny Cooper is definitely not tiny, but that's his nickname. In fact, we never learn his real name; everyone just calls him Tiny. He's pretty cool about it, too:

me: who are you?
tiny: tiny cooper!
me: you can't really be named tiny.
tiny: no. that's irony.
me: oh.
tiny (tsking): no need to "oh" me. i'm fine with it. i'm big-boned.
me: dude, it isn't just your bones.
tiny: just means there's more of me to love!
me: but that requires so much more effort.
tiny: darling, i'm worth it. (10.43)

Maybe the name started out as a joke, but Tiny has embraced it. This is who he is and no one is going to laugh at Tiny Cooper because Tiny Cooper is fabulous. Take note, haters.

Speech and Dialogue

This story is sort of divided into characters who talk a whole lot and characters who hardly say anything. Tiny and Jane talk a ton. Tiny never shuts up about himself or his musical or his feelings; he'll talk about his latest infatuations with anyone who'll listen and he just does not care. For her part, Jane has a tendency to run on and on and just talk about whatever. Maybe that's one of the things Will likes about her.

But Will and will are both pretty silent. Sometimes it's hard to tell because we're hearing so much of the story in their head, but a lot of what we're getting are things that they wish they could say to other people. And of course, Will has his rules:

I feel that crying is almost—like, aside from deaths of relatives or whatever—totally avoidable if you follow two very simple rules: 1. Don't care too much. 2. Shut up. Everything unfortunate that has ever happened to me has stemmed from failure to follow one of the rules. (1.11)

In the end, Will and will realize that they have to open up to more people. That means less shutting up and more caring for Will, and it means letting the people will loves into his life and telling everyone who he is without being so afraid and cynical. It's pretty fitting that the book ends with both Wills shouting out their love and appreciation for Tiny—they've finally found their voices.