Milo’s determination is exemplified by his persistence in following Dr. Silverfish’s directions, even while being ridiculed by his sister and peers at school. Milo must come up with a believable explanation for wearing broccoli around his neck, and his quick thinking is shown both at home by inventing a school play about nutrition and at school by saying he has a disease that only broccoli can cure. However, Milo’s newfound courage and maturity are more impressive than his storytelling. Surviving a day of humiliation at school teaches Milo that he can overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles, which touches on the theme of Societal Pressures and Expectations. Wearing broccoli does not conform to society’s expectations, though this is an exaggerated take on subverting expectations. rather than accepting and embracing individuality, Milo’s peers demand an explanation—a common reaction when someone goes against the norm. Initially Milo comes up with “good” reasons for wearing broccoli, but the bravest moment is when he stands up to the bully George. Without inventing a backstory, Milo confidently tells George to mind his own business, shutting down the discussion. Conquering fear is the first step of Dr. Silverfish’s journey towards perfection, but really it is the first step toward self-acceptance and learning to embrace imperfection. Milo admits to his father that he didn’t tell his family about Silverfish’s book for fear of being laughed at, though, which his father did, showing that he still worries about being mocked by those he loves.

Manes emphasizes The Role of Humor in Addressing Serious Themes in these chapters, using absurdist scenarios and Dr. Silverfish’s lighthearted tone to move the plot forward and highlight character traits. For example, Elissa’s sass is shown when she comments on Milo’s broccoli necklace: “Lots of people walk around with stalks of broccoli hanging from their necks. That’s how you can tell the morons from the rest of us” (22). This sense of humor would be common among siblings, but it helps show why Milo would feel insecure around his family without making their dynamic too serious. This aligns with broader elements of the text. For example, when people subvert societal expectations and are made to feel self-conscious, this usually doesn’t occur by wearing vegetables around the neck. This absurdist approach—meaning it is intentionally bizarre or ridiculous—helps represent Milo’s struggle to fit in through a funnier, more approachable scenario. Even Milo’s dream in Chapter 2 is silly and dramatized, wherein he laughs at others from atop a giant broccoli, but it helps show how Milo struggles with feeling less “perfect” than those around them and seeks an opportunity to feel the same sense of superiority he feels they have.