The Body

Chris Chambers is, as Gordie describes, the group’s peacemaker. Chris comes from an abusive family. He fully expects to become part of his family’s cycle of violence and petty crime. His father is an alcoholic. Chris never drinks because he doesn’t want to resemble his father. However, because he doesn’t think he can change his own fate, Chris often tries to convince Gordie to write down his stories and do what Chris can’t: become a success. At the story’s beginning, Chris has a negative outlook. He claims that people—including close friends—always drag each other down. Chris dies in an Oregon restaurant, stabbed after intervening during an argument between two men. 

Teddy is a victim of abuse. His delusional father burned his ears on a woodstove when he was young. Teddy is near-sighted and doesn’t hear well out of his damaged ears. In addition, Teddy’s a daredevil who relishes the chance to dodge cars and trains. He has poor impulse control and has trouble regulating his emotions when challenged. When someone impedes him in something he wants to do, Teddy often lashes out furiously, willing to fight anyone in his way. Teddy loves Gordie’s war stories and hopes to join the military. He dies in a car crash. 

Vern is the shortest and most overweight member of the group. His weight subjects him to ridicule at school. Vern is a loyal, brave friend. He’s also absentminded and lags academically. Vern provides some of the story’s comic relief. For instance, he buries a jar of pennies under his porch but forgets the location. When the story begins, he’s already been searching for the jar of pennies for four years. After returning from the weekend, Vern drifts apart from the others and begins bringing new kids to the treehouse, where he bosses them around. Vern dies in a fire.