Paper Things

A significant amount of social and political discourse in America frames people who are unhoused as a “problem” and reflects negative assumptions about the reasons why people lack a place to live. People who do not have homes are often stereotyped, discriminated against, ignored, and looked down upon by much of society. As a result, people who are unhoused may experience shame. This shame can impact their sense of personal worth as viewed by society and by themselves. They may not feel they can reach out for help or may not find help forthcoming when they do.

Ari and Gage are both ashamed of their situation, and Gage tells Ari to keep it a secret that they don’t have a place to live. He asks her to lie to Janna and her friends, which Ari does out of loyalty to her brother and because she, too, does not like the idea of people knowing. On top of this, Ari is in denial about the full extent of her situation: “That’s the sort of thing Gage tells people so they don’t think we’re homeless. Which we’re not, of course. We’re just between homes” (119). It is hard for Ari to imagine that she could be in that position or how easy it is for that to happen. Paper Things shows that the sense of stigma is so strong that, for a while, Gage and Ari refuse to admit it even to themselves.

Ari keeps her situation a secret out of shame, but it is only possible for her to hide it for so long. When she starts skipping showers, being unable to wash her clothes, and doesn’t eat properly, her behavior and appearance start to indicate that she isn’t receiving the basic support a child needs. Ari experiences both kindness and prejudice during this time. People like her computer teacher, Briggs, and Reggie offer their support and generosity to Ari, while people like Sasha, who do not understand or know what’s going on, bully Ari, further isolating her from her peers and adding to her sense of shame. Daniel sees past Ari’s disheveled appearance to the person inside, and his support is pivotal in helping her pick herself up again. Paper Things often describes Ari as feeling invisible or voiceless, a common problem for people who do not have homes: Although she wants to reach out, she cannot bring herself to do so. Ultimately, it is Daniel who helps Ari accept that homelessness is not something to be ashamed of, as Ari notes,

The more I talk and the more Daniel listens without judging, the more I realize that I don’t have to be ashamed of my truth. That Gage and I were still the same people we’d always been, even if the circumstances we were living in looked pretty different (323-24).

She tells her story for the town newspaper, no longer embarrassed but instead wanting to educate and inspire others.

Hope is a powerful motivator for Ari during her time living without a home with Gage. Ari finds herself in a situation that is more common than society likes to admit and that many people become trapped in. Once people become unhoused, social structures mean that they face increased obstacles in finding and keeping work, accessing education, and maintaining healthy relationships. Although Gage and Ari hope and intend to find a home again, the reality is that this hope will be disappointed. The novel places Ari in a position of severe jeopardy, and even though she and Gage do not recognize or admit this, the reader perceives the risk that the story may not end positively. Paper Things thus creates a tension between reality and hope and between active and passive hope. Paper Things shows that hope is both an instinct and an act of will. Ari does not seem to fully grasp the gravity of her situation at first, which allows her to believe that things will improve. Ari perseveres despite each challenge, completing her schoolwork, saving up money that she finds on the street, and even making a new friend in Daniel when Sasha stops wanting to be around her. Ari’s strength and will are what allow her to rise above her situation and eventually make the right choice in going back home.

Ari is not the only one who holds onto hope: Although Ari’s brother, Gage, is more prone to pessimism than Ari, he continues to persevere in finding a job, eventually succeeding. Together, Ari and Gage rely on each other to get through each day and maintain a sense of purpose and direction. They hope for each other as well as for themselves, and this connection supports them. Although Gage is not able to find an apartment in time for Ari to live with him, Gage makes the brave and responsible decision to try on his own. It is clear that he values independence and sees in himself a potential that few others do. The conclusion of Paper Things also shows that he has matured in responsibility, realizing that it is right for Ari to live with Janna. The novel shows that hope is important but that it is not enough by itself: It is an enabler of other, less abstract, forms of strength and personal growth.

Ari’s hope is evident in many forms, most of which are active rather than passive. Her paper things are a symbol of her hope for a big, happy family and a community that is loving and supportive. Ari also hopes for the opportunity to attend Carter Middle School and uses an unorthodox approach suggested by Daniel to garner the attention needed to do that. Ari instills hope in her community through her kindness and bright spirit, such as through her interactions with Reggie and her decision to host a craft table on Crazy Hat Day. Ari is only 11 years old, but she is already a community leader and an inspiration to those around her. Her hopefulness influences others. Reggie starts a paper plane wish program, going around to various shelters to give them a tiny symbol of hope. It is only through determination and the belief that she can overcome her circumstances that Ari is able to do so. She reminds everyone that “you can be your best self no matter where you are” and demonstrates this throughout Paper Things (325).