Though dead, Robbie is a looming presence throughout the novel. His memory guides Andy’s reactions and influences how Andy interacts with his peers. During the first basketball game after the accident, everyone comments about Andy’s ability to fill Robbie’s shoes as captain of the basketball team. Andy must live up to Robbie’s memory, whether it be as captain or in therapy where his counselor tries to imitate Robbie’s reactions to help Andy cope.

Robbie’s memory is a foil to Monty. Where Monty tries to help Andy recover and move forward, Robbie comes to Andy in a dream and encourages him to die. Where Monty wants Andy to live for others, Robbie selfishly wants his best friend to die so he is not alone. Where Monty cares, Robbie deceives, and where Monty is innocent, Robbie becomes Andy’s internal antagonist.

Andy Jackson is the complex protagonist of the novel. His perspective is the primary one and all other points of view focus on him.

Andy struggles to accept his new position in the world. He has unintentionally killed his best friend and thrown his own life into disarray.