Character Analysis Of Until Gwen By Dennis Lehane

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In the short story, “Until Gwen” by Dennis Lehane, it starts off with the main character named Bobby who is getting picked up by his father from prison with a stolen Dodge Neon. His father wasn’t alone, he brought himself a company and it was a hooker named Mandy. We got a sense of who his father was, a “professional thief, a consummate con man” (647). We don’t know why he was in prison until the rest of the story slowly reveals the flashbacks he has with his girlfriend Gwen and the incident prior of going to jail. Bobby has no sense of who he is or where he is from because there no proof of record of him such as a birth certificate. After meeting Gwen, his life has changed and felt the sense of belonging into the world he is living in. Bobby’s …show more content…

Before meeting Gwen, he didn’t have a sense of identity. He has asked his father numerous of times about where he was born but his father kept changing the name of the places. Bobby’s mother died when he was young and he didn’t have her around to ask her these questions. Bobby really didn’t know who he was all his life. Even when he was taking in to prison, “[he’s] been documented, but even they’d had to make it up, take your name as much on faith as you. You have no social security number or birth certificate, no passport. You’ve never held a job” (651). Bobby feels that he doesn’t exist in this world and there’s no track of him on where he was born. How can someone live half of his life not knowing his real name is? His identity was living with his father’s identity by telling Bobby what to do when it comes to committing crimes. He doesn’t know what other things he could have done because this is all he knew. Bobby didn’t choose this life even though he was grown enough to make his own decisions. He felt that this is where he belongs and nowhere …show more content…

Throughout the story, as a reader, the main characters name was not mentioned till the middle of the story when Gwen says, “‘I can’t help it, Bobby. Jesus’” (654). Bobby has heard his name like the very first time and he liked it. Not only because Gwen said it but how “[he] loved hearing her say it” (654). Bobby may not be his real name because it didn’t mention him denying his name. Bobby loves Gwen and how it changed his life meeting her. She has given him a purpose in life and with her, he feels he has an identity. He felt he does belong into this world. Before she has said his name, she says to Bobby, “’you don’t have anyone to tell you who you are, so you don’t need anyone to tell you. You just are who you are. You’re beautiful’” (651). Gwen didn’t need to know where he came from because she loved him for who he is. She didn’t need to define him and having a Social Security number is not defining who you are. She has taught him how to live his life without the pressure of knowing where you came from. While Bobby was in prison, he knew that something will happen with Gwen. He knew his father too well and what he is capable of. All through the story was his memories with her and how much needed her in his life. Without her, he is no one. “Until Gwen, you had no idea who you were. None. During Gwen, you knew. After Gwen, you’re back to wondering” (656). He has lost his full identity and it was all because

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