The Misfits

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2001

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Summary

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-4

Chapters 5-8

Chapters 9-12

Chapters 13-16

Chapters 17-20

Chapters 21-24

Chapters 25-27

Chapters 28-30

Character Analysis

Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Quiz

Symbols & Motifs

Nicknames

Throughout the novel, Bobby and his friends are called many mean names, which leads them to create the No-Name Party at school, a political party that campaigns against name-calling. However, many characters give each other nicknames as terms of endearment, showing how names can be both cruel and affectionate. For example, Bobby and his dad call each other Skip and Hammer. Bobby’s dad came up with the nickname Skip after Bobby was insultingly called Fluff at school. In elementary school, Bobby always ate peanut butter and Marshmallow Fluff sandwiches, which, along with his gaining weight, led to the nickname Fluff. This led to “the at-home nickname of ‘Skippy,’ in honor of my peanut butter of choice” (58). Hurt by the bullying his son endured at school, Bobby’s dad came up with a fun nickname to counteract the cruel name-calling and make Bobby feel special. Similarly, Bobby calls his dad “‘Hammer’ […] on account of him liking detective stories and his name being Mike” (58). “Mike Hammer” is a popular detective. In this case, “Hammer” represents the love Bobby has for his father, and these nicknames are a fun way for father and son to bond.

Another example of this is when Bobby gives Addie the nickname of “Wendy,” explaining, “Wendy and the Lost Boys” (47). Addie is a young woman whose closest friends are boys, similar to Wendy in the story Peter Pan. In Peter Pan, Wendy is often the voice of reason for the group, similar to Addie’s role in her group of friends. Even though Bobby is teasing Addie a little bit, this nickname is meant to be friendly and affectionate.

The Pledge of Allegiance

Toward the beginning of the novel, Addie refuses to stand and recite the Pledge of Allegiance in homeroom. Addie explains to the class, “[W]hat is pledged is allegiance—or loyalty—to one’s country. But isn’t there the implication of a promise of liberty and justice for all? And do we have liberty and justice for all in this country? I think not” (19). In the United States, everyone is supposed to enjoy liberty and justice. However, Addie read in the newspaper that morning that African Americans are often profiled and targeted unjustly by police. Addie feels as though she cannot say the Pledge of Allegiance to a country in which these injustices occur.

However, when Addie speaks to Mr. Kiley, a Vietnam war veteran, he explains that he believes “the pledge means a lot to some people and that other people don’t appreciate all that this country is and how great a democratic nation we are” (49). To Mr. Kiley, the Pledge of Allegiance is a way to show one’s appreciation for democracy and for the people who fought on behalf of the country. Later on, Mr. Kiley accuses Addie of being “‘a rebel without a cause’” ever since she began to refuse to say the Pledge. Here, Mr. Kiley indicates his belief that Addie just wants to draw attention to herself without having a clear motive behind her actions.

Still, Bobby defends Addie, saying, “[S]he believes that we have a long way to go in this country until there is real justice and liberty for all. That’s why she stopped saying the Pledge, Mr. Kiley, not because she’s a rebel without a cause” (188). For Addie, her refusal to say the Pledge of Allegiance is a way for her to express her beliefs and protest against injustices in the country. Addie’s refusal to say the Pledge is significant because it is one of the events that puts into motion the Gang of Five’s mission to start a third political party at school and try to bring about change.

The Forum

The Gang of Five meets regularly at the Candy Kitchen for what they call the Forum, a meeting where they “discuss important issues and eat ice cream” (22). The Forum is significant because it represents the group’s ambition and desire to address important issues in their lives, and also because Bobby’s group of friends is extremely important to him. As misfits, having a strong group of close friends helps Bobby remain strong and feel good about himself. At one point, Bobby even thinks, “[W]here would I be without the Gang of Five?” (203).

Meetings of The Forum appear throughout the novel and are written in the form of Addie’s “minutes”—a transcription of everything that is said at the gathering. Topics include “Liberty and Justice for All” (22), “Popularity versus Principals” (47), and “What I Want to Be When I Grow Up” (267). The Forum is a chance for the Gang of Five to work through whatever is on their minds while also bonding and hanging out. These moments throughout the novel give the reader a sense of each character’s voice and illustrates the significance of their friendship.

Joe’s Pinky Nail

Bobby describes Joe as “the most creative person I know” (11). One of the ways in which Joe stands out is by dyeing colored streaks in his hair and painting his pinky nail. Bobby says, “[H]e’s always got the nail of his right pinky finger painted some crazy way. Sometimes his aunt Pam, who sells cosmetics at Awkworth & Ames but is really an artist, paints these tiny pictures on it. Faces or flowers or symbols. They’re pretty amazing” (34). For Joe, his colored hair and painted nail are ways to express himself creatively. Even though Joe is bullied for being different and often called cruel homophobic names, he continues to stand out. Joe’s pinky nail is also significant because his aunt Pam helps him with the designs. Joe’s aunt Pam lives with his family, and Joe believes it is thanks to her that he doesn’t mind being different than his classmates. Joe calls Pam “his fairy godmother, because she showed up just at the moment in his life when he needed somebody to let him know it was okay to be himself” (108). Joe’s pinky nail is just one way he is able to bond with his aunt Pam, because they are both creative and artistic. His pinky nail is also a way for him to stand out and be himself at school.