Eleven

The Man in the White Shirt, Alex’s father, remains unnamed until the final chapter. An adult who works in New York City, this character serves as a version of “the everyman,” representing the experience of so many Americans in Manhattan on that day. The man finds himself amid “pandemonium” after the plane first hits, when “he [emerges] into a war zone” (50), when “a dark gray cloud [is] rolling straight at him” (66), or when he stands “himself in a blizzard of memos and printouts […] swirling through the air” (108), Alex’s father could be any survivor of the attacks on the Twin Towers; without a name, he represents the thousands who endured the same trauma. Ironically, his namelessness works to develop the theme of The Personal Impact of Large-Scale Tragedy. The Man in the White Shirt’s experience presents the individual reality for many people in Manhattan on that day. Furthermore, his uncertain identity and brief, intense chapters lead to suspense and anxiety, mirroring the fear and unease that loved ones endured while waiting for news. In many ways, Alex’s father is a depiction of what many Americans experienced on September 11, 2001.

The Man in the White Shirt’s anonymity also exemplifies the theme of Heroism in Ordinary People. Without a name, he could be anyone, reflecting the courageous and selfless actions of many people on 9/11. In the immediate aftermath of the attacks, he partners with a policewoman to help five injured people to safety. He also tries to donate blood, going “far out of his way to get to the hospital, even though it would take him even longer now to make it home” (121). Delaying his return to help others exemplifies heroism as he puts others before himself in a time of crisis. His selfless actions prove that heroes do not have to wear capes or fly fighter jets during war but can be ordinary citizens demonstrating valor in vital ways. Additionally, Alex’s father’s heroic, unselfish actions serve as a foil to the attackers and to Jordan McCreevy, who terrorizes and bullies others. Ultimately, the man models what true courage, responsibility, and maturity look like.

Mac is a complex character, exhibiting a wide range of emotions—compassion, grief, fear, anger—and modeling how to manage them. His kindness is evident in his care for Alex when he provides snacks, advice, and distraction in the form of flying model planes. Additionally, Mac reveals a vulnerable side when he explodes at Alex’s stubborn belief that his father will not return. His anger is laced with fear that his own son will not come back, and “Alex [watches] in surprise as tears [begin] to roll down the old man’s face. He’[s] never seen an adult cry” (144). Tears from a grown-up—specifically, a man—are unusual to Alex. Mac, in his grief, allows the boy to see all sides of him. Furthermore, he explicitly teaches Alex how to manage uncertainty. He explains that navigating difficult times “all depends on how you look at things” (143). By perceiving things in a new way, a person can not only cope but also see beauty even amid hardship. He uses the example of his wife who has Alzheimer’s: “When Dottie started to slip away, all I could see was what I was losing. Now I treasure every day with her” (143). By shifting his mindset, he can “treasure” his time with her. Mac shares what he has learned, as well as his vulnerable, human side. In doing so, Mac models the process of growth and demonstrates that being human is difficult and imperfect.

Mac also serves as a stand-in dad for Alex on this traumatic day, which ultimately highlights the theme of Heroism in Ordinary People. Mac is the first adult to fully discuss the attack on the World Trade Center with Alex, helping the boy process it all. When Alex focuses on the news report that “everything’s changed” (143), Mac encourages him to see all that remains the same in the world—like the sky, the birds, and the sun. Not only does this help the boy shift his perspective, but it also provides comfort in an unsettling moment. This comfort extends to flying model planes together, which Alex becomes “so absorbed in […] that [he] even [forgets[ to be worried” (148). Mac provides an escape from an exhausting and terrifying day. Despite his own grief and worry, he supports Alex through an everyday act of courage and fortitude.