The Schwa Was Here

In these chapters, Shusterman expands on themes of Building a Sense of Self, the Nature of Friendship, the Role of Family Dynamics, and the concept of Being “Seen” and the Perceptions of Others, as Antsy’s friendship with the Schwa deepens then grows complicated when both boys become interested in Lexie. Shusterman explores how Lexie’s blindness allows her to perceive the Schwa—and life—differently from Antsy. The motif of food informs themes of identity and family as readers learn more about the Schwa and Antsy’s home lives from two very different family dinners.

Antsy shows integrity and pride by following through on his promise to walk the dogs even though he knows he and the Schwa “could have gotten out of it” (59). Readers see how Antsy’s beliefs influence his sense of self. Antsy keeps his word—something he admits to “flaking out” on before—because he does not want Crawley to think he has a lesser moral code because of his family upbringing. Antsy knows that Crawley believes his middle-class Italian background makes him inferior. Crawley puts Antsy down, but Antsy gives tit for tat, calling Crawley “Chuckles” because the man has not yet earned his respect (71). His nickname for Crawley reveals Antsy’s spunk, pride in his family, and fundamental belief that he deserves respect. Similarly, although Antsy is humiliated, hurt, and angry after Lexie asks for the Schwa to escort her, Antsy’s personal honor will not let him renege on his dog-walking promise.

Antsy calls himself a “miserable failure—even at quitting” (103). This negative self-talk reveals a streak of low self-esteem, which is evident in Antsy’s earlier comments about his bad luck with girls and his poor grades. Antsy, however, sells himself short. He is aware of his limitations, such as his selfish side and his jealousy, but he is also caring toward the Schwa, Lexie, and even Mr. Crawley. While Antsy claims that he does not do well in school, Antsy shows that he not only retains information but applies it to his life. Antsy compares the imaginary number i in algebra to the Schwa, uses an appropriate phrase in Spanish to respond to Mr. Crawley, relates facts about bamboo growth to his changing friendships, applies the concept of osmosis to his appreciation of the salsa concert, and uses the special chess rule “en passant” to describe the Schwa’s fight with Howie and Ira. Though Mr. Crawley calls him a “moron,” Antsy is no dummy. As Antsy interacts with new people, new situations, changing friendships, he learns more about his inner strength, compassion, and intelligence.

Antsy perceptively recognizes that he has grown apart from Howie and Ira. Like the fast-growing bamboo, he has “sprouted far beyond Howie and Ira” (75). Their friendship has altered, but this is part of the Nature of Friendship: Things they used to do together are not as fun, and Antsy does not like the way Howie and Ira treat the Schwa. The Schwa considers Antsy his only friend, but when Lexie arrives, they become frenemies: friends, but also jealous competitors. Having a girl friend—Antsy is not sure she is a girlfriend—creates new emotions for Antsy, including confusion, excitement, awkwardness, and jealousy. Antsy’s new and changing friendships and relationships reveal emotional growth. Antsy is coming of age.

Family Dynamics play an important part in shaping both the Schwa and Antsy’s characters. The Schwa comes from a single-parent family. His mother disappeared nine years ago, when the Schwa was five. Additionally, the Schwa’s father suffers permanent short-term memory issues caused by a mild traumatic brain injury. The Schwa is forced into an adult role, acting as caregiver. According to the American Psychological Association, young caregivers are more likely to feel anxious and depressed, and boys, especially, have trouble with feelings of social isolation and sadness (“Young Caregivers.” American Psychological Association). The Schwa exhibits some of these feelings in his anger at being ignored and unnoticed by Howie, Ira, and his father. He fears his inability to take control, to assert himself, and to change.

Antsy’s nuclear family has different challenges, among them, trouble communicating. Antsy’s parents fight rather than converse until Antsy deflects their argument. Antsy is the family peacemaker, a common role adopted by middle children. The family seems not to know one another’s true feelings. Antsy knows that Dad has trouble foreseeing how his actions and comments inflame his wife, saying that Dad “never seemed to be able to tell when Mom was about to get mad at him, and he usually needed one of us kids to tell him what brainless, insensitive thing he had done” (68). Family challenges contribute to both boys’ feelings of being unnoticed.

Food is a motif in the novel, representing love and the opportunity for connection. Food helps draw a contrast between the Schwa’s and Antsy’s families. The Schwa cooks a terrible chicken dinner that reveals his lack of family support. Antsy sees that there is no guarantee Mr. Schwa will remember to feed his son. The lack of food represents the Schwa’s disconnection from his family. Antsy is guaranteed a good meal at home but has difficulty expressing himself within his family. His dad feels the same way when they eat alone together. The foundation for individual connection is missing, despite the delicious dinner. As Antsy notes early in the novel, food is an important part of Italian culture. It is an expression of love and pride—and a bone of contention. The kids know Dad loves to cook—and that he is a better cook—but will never say so for fear of upsetting Mom, who proudly dominates the kitchen in a traditional role.

Finally, the introduction of Lexie’s character offers a unique perspective on the novel’s theme of Being “Seen” and the Perceptions of Others. Although physically blind, Lexie “sees” Antsy’s potential for handsomeness, and to an extent, the foundation of his solid character in his “good bone structure” (86). Similarly, Lexie is the one person who always knows when the Schwa is with them. Ironically, sighted people, including Antsy, overlook the Schwa, but Lexie sees him—which makes the Schwa ecstatic. She is the only character to use the Schwa’s first name, signifying she recognizes his individuality. Lexie perceives the boys’ inner natures rather than their outer appearances.