Charming as a Verb

In Chapters 13 through 19, Henri’s arc and coming-of-age process show change and development to his character. He is forced to reevaluate his dreams and his goals, which are, to Henri, elements of his identity. In reevaluating himself, Henri tries to deconstruct years of focusing without sincerity on one dream and his new reality that the dream may not come true.

Corinne is invaluable in helping Henri begin to reconcile with the truth of his identity and future. She helps him to see another world in which Henri responds to his own needs instead of the influences of his father; he realizes McGill is perfect for him.

McGill is a top-tier university known internationally for its programs. Henri has never told his father that he is interested in sneaker design, but at McGill, Henri would be able to study in one of the top design programs in the world. Henri would be following his passion. Studying design is a difficult choice for Henri to make because he worries that it is an impractical choice and one that does not honor the Haltiwanger Hustle. Practical career choices such as those that will guarantee Henri earn money right away will help his family and set Henri up for the financial success the Haltiwangers value. In this case, Henri is pulled between passion and practicality, a popular storyline in novels about the immigrant’s first-generation child.

A key component to these changes in Henri has to do with control. If Henri does not get into Columbia, then the decision is being made for him. He no longer has control over what will happen with Columbia and must instead focus on what he does have control over, such as doing well in an interview with McGill. This highlights the theme of Self-Discovery of One’s Authentic Identity and challenges the theme of Perceptions of the American Dream.

Henri’s confidence decreases after it becomes clear that his concerns about the interview with Donielle are legitimate. He has built himself up as a future student of Columbia, and when it becomes clear that that might not happen, he loses a part of himself. Henri loses his metaphorical and characteristic smile, which emphasizes how low his self-esteem is because it is tied to Columbia. Henri’s hard work can pay off in other ways, such as in admission to other excellent schools, once he takes control of his own decision-making and open-mindedness His confidence returns as his sense of control improves.

Henri’s lost confidence applies to his social life as well. Evie reveals that it is Henri who has always made decisions about their relationship without her, which emphasizes a selfish part of Henri that chooses to see the best in situations without confronting what might actually be happening. Henri’s crush on Corinne takes him by surprise, but they are quite a good match. Unlike other people in Henri’s social circle, Corinne does not fall for his charm, which she knows is partly synthetic. Corinne challenges Henri to be a more authentic version of himself. She pushes him in ways that other people do not because she is honest with him and does not let him use his charm to get out of conversations that make him uncomfortable. Thus, Corinne is a key character who makes Henri deal with and discover his true self, which highlights the theme of Self-Discovery of One’s Authentic Identity. As with the decision to consider McGill, when Henri admits to sincere feelings for Corrine, his confidence once again blooms.

Henri’s trip to Montreal, organized by Corinne, is significant to both plot and character development. The trip represents how much Corinne cares about Henri and what he really wants—she’s one of the few people in his life who does not project their own desires and goals onto him. What’s more, the trip exposes Henri to a new city that is beautiful, diverse, and interesting—the kind of city he could live in. Henri also redevelops his confidence when his interview with McGill goes well. In discovering that he can be successful and respected in the design space, Henri sees a new path forward. His hard work is indeed paying off. This emphasizes the theme of The Pressures of Young Adulthood.

Another major moment of plot and character development is the kiss between Corinne and Henri. Philippe has been leading the reader to this kiss, as foreshadowing of their feelings has punctuated the chapters leading up to Chapter 19. The kiss is a romantic moment in which both Corinne and Henri risk their friendship to gain a deeper relationship with one another. Corinne is unlike other girls Henri has dated before—she is intense, intelligent, and challenging. His attraction to Corinne shows growth, wisdom, and increasing maturity. Corinne is not judgmental of Henri’s life, and he feels comfortable telling her his true feelings, which Henri can’t do with his parents. Thus, Corinne is key to Henri’s character development in various ways.