Slob

Owen’s physical illness in response to having his identity challenged establishes a pattern that connects Owen’s physical state with mental trauma. His struggles regarding the dichotomy of his intelligence versus his body image underscore the novel’s theme of Identity and Self-Image. This section introduces the first obvious illustration that Owen uses food as a coping mechanism, reinforcing the notion that Owen’s obesity is a result of trauma. Owen’s binge-eating of Oreos is symbolic of the mystery and main conflict of the novel, and the Oreos themselves a symbol of Owen’s tendency to cope through avoidance. For example, after running from Mr. Boscana, Owen notes his hunger with a sense immediacy and urgency. His abrupt transition to thinking of food from Nima’s food cart is further indication of Owen’s binge eating to cope. The trauma response that Owen displays alludes to the murder of his parents, foregrounding the mystery behind Owen’s obesity.

Owen’s past experiences are increasingly referenced in these chapters as he continues to cope with the significant trauma of his past. Owen casually refers to his father while looking in a shoe store window, catching the attention of Mr. Boscana. He recognizes Owen, and calls out to him, but his recognition is slow, indicating the physical changes Owen has undergone. Owen’s fear of an encounter with someone who knew him in what he regards as a previous life demonstrates his repression of traumatic memories. Owen’s focus on Nemesis is an allusion to his past as he hopes to capture the criminal who murdered his parents, highlighting a desire for punishment. He often works on Nemesis immediately after a traumatic episode or a direct allusion to his life two years before, linking his project to the theme of Revenge, Forgiveness, and Acceptance. Additionally, the language Owen uses to state his hope that Nima will not ask about the murder and his inability to refer to the murder directly emphasize Owen’s avoidance. Through his aversion, he reinforces his resignation to his obesity and bullying as well. Like his easy acceptance of Zelda as a mother figure, Owen demonstrates a pragmatic acceptance of life with limitations of what he can and cannot change. This signifies that Owen’s current state of acceptance lacks the emotional healing that closure and forgiveness afford.

This section also highlights an ongoing distinction between Owen’s emotional and intellectual intelligence, which leads to conflict throughout the novel. Despite Nima’s consideration, Owen judges Nima’s acceptance of the supernatural, revealing a lack of acceptance of alternate points of view that demonstrates his immaturity despite his intelligence. In another example of this juxtaposition, Owen places beard bleach in his Oreos, unconcerned of the physical effects this will have on the culprit. He still assumes Mason is guilty of the theft, and these assumptions reiterate lack of empathy and unwillingness to accept that his judgment may be wrong. This reinforces Owen’s role as an unreliable narrator. Owen’s presumptions continue as he encounters Jeremy and contrasts her heroic leadership qualities with a lack of intelligence. Owen’s comparison reveals an inability to accept things outside of his worldview. He never considers that she may be more intelligent, an ironic plot twist, since Jeremy steals the Oreos to join GWAB.

Owen’s lack of acceptance of himself and others provides multiple examples of grotesque imagery that continue developing this motif. Owen visits a demolition site, a grotesque metaphor for things rejected by society. His language becomes more vivid as he considers entering the site, imagining in lurid detail how his body will look, accentuating Owen’s low self-esteem and insecurities. The grotesque imagery continues as he describes physically contorting to gain entrance to the demolition site, the language encouraging discomfort and awkwardness in readers because of the focus and detail that describes physical aspects of the body. Owen’s encounter with the metal scavenger is another example of grotesque imagery that reveals his lack of acceptance. Initially, it is unclear if Owen encounters an insect or a human, though it becomes apparent the scavenger is a man. Owen emphasizes the man’s filth and dishevelment and becomes disturbed when the man is friendly and demonstrates a measure of camaraderie with Owen. His discomfort is similar to the discomfort he feels when confronted by Mason’s scars and disfigurement. Owen demonstrates an ironic inability to accept other grotesque characters, enlarging his lack of empathy and need for character growth.

Finally, the culture of bullying at The Martha Doxie School is illustrated alongside Owen’s flaws, furthering the novel’s theme of Power, Negligence, and Bullying Behavior. This pattern also reinforces the unreliability of the protagonist as a narrator. Mr. Wooly is a stereotypical antagonist within the school setting, verbally abusing Owen and Mason while setting up physical challenges that will humiliate the grotesque characters.