Abuse is a constant theme throughout the novel. Whether it’s physical or sexual in nature, the abuse that each character faces colors much of Charlie’s coming-of-age experience. The most influential abuse in Charlie’s life comes from the hands of his aunt Helen. While Charlie represses the fact that his aunt sexually abused him when he was a child, it’s clear that as a teenager, the abuse directly influenced how he interacts with those around him.

For much of the novel, Charlie is an observer of his own life rather than a participant. Rather than acting on what he wants, he tends to let experiences happen to him. This can be seen when he dates Mary Elizabeth. Despite not liking her, he continues to see her because he can’t be honest with what he wants. This again happens when he lets Patrick kiss him. Charlie lets it happen because he thinks he’s being a good friend to Patrick. These experiences reflect how Charlie’s childhood abuse took away his ability to act on what he wants as an adult and to set healthy boundaries. Rather than actively pursuing his desires and standing up for himself, Charlie seems paralyzed for most of the novel and continually a victim of his feelings and circumstance.