Criss Cross

Hector is one of the novel’s primary characters. He also lives in Seldem. His relationship with his older sister, Rowanne, is particularly important to his Journey Towards Self-Discovery. He often compares himself to his sister—who is three years older than he is—and also seeks her advice when he’s confused or upset. Her character acts as Hector’s archetypal guide, because he knows he can trust her.

Hector is dynamic character, who changes as the result of his experiences throughout the novel. In particular, Hector’s deepening investment in music helps him discover his personal and artistic voices. Learning the guitar and writing songs offer him new ways to express his otherwise inarticulable emotions. Music also helps him feel connected to the universal human experience. Over the course of Criss Cross, Hector learns how to accept his idiosyncrasies without fear or shame. He not only sings and plays in public but becomes more comfortable conversing openly with his friends.

Peter is a secondary character. He is Mrs. Louise Bruning’s grandson and a catalyst in Debbie’s character arc. Peter lives in California with his dad but travels across the country to stay with his grandmother—whom he calls Grosi—for a few days. The trip is a plot device—a coincidence—that allows Peter to meet and befriend Debbie. The two spend time helping Mrs. Bruning around the house, engaging in philosophical conversation, and adventuring to neighboring towns. Peter is an empathetic, thoughtful character who encourages Debbie to be herself. When she’s in Peter’s company, she doesn’t feel compelled to alter her behavior or appearance. She also feels comfortable asking questions and discussing complex emotions.

Peter opens Debbie’s heart to romantic love. The two don’t end up in a relationship, but their version of intimacy helps Debbie to understand the power of intimate connection.

Patty is another of the novel’s secondary characters. As Debbie’s best friend and confidante, Patty is Debbie’s double. When she appears on the page, Patty is most often depicted in companionship with Debbie—underscoring the importance of their friendship. Like Debbie, Patty is a deep thinker in the process of discovering herself on her own terms. Like Debbie, Patty experiments with dress and ideas to make sense of who she wants to be. Patty is also a member of the novel’s primary friend group, and often spends time with Hector, Lenny, and Phil, too. Patty and Debby’s closely connected journeys highlight that growth doesn’t come only from conflict but also from allyship and trust.

Dan is a minor character. He isn’t a traditional antagonist, but he is a catalyst for other characters’ inner conflicts and interpersonal tensions. For example, Debbie experiences complex emotions because of Dan. She develops feelings for him during the school year but feels insecure that Dan doesn’t like her because he’s the school’s popular football star while she’s reserved and bookish. Hector feels agitated whenever he’s around Dan, too. During guitar lessons, Hector initially feels embarrassed singing and playing in front of Dan—he fears Dan will judge and make fun of him. Hector feels even more insecure around Dan when Dan starts seeing Hector’s crush Meadow. Hector wants to be with Meadow but feels like “a complete and total idiot” whenever he’s around her and Dan (245). At the Seldem Days fair, for example, he makes a series of clumsy mistakes that embarrass him in front of Meadow—who’s at the fair with Dan.

Dan represents society’s traditional image of positive masculinity: handsome, confident, and athletic. Debbie’s fear that Dan finds her unattractive and Hector’s fear that he is inferior to Dan show that upholding gender stereotypes can damage young people’s self-esteem even when an individual who exemplifies the stereotype—in this case, Dan—doesn’t act harmfully toward others.

Phil is a minor character. He is a member of the primary friend group, but his storyline isn’t as developed as the other friends’. Phil lives on the same block as Lenny, Hector, and Debbie, and participates in many of the same activities. His character is a foil, a formal device used to allow characters to express their thoughts. Because Phil only appears with others, he conveys the Importance of Friendship and Connection. Phil is a good listener, and his supportive nature makes others feel comfortable. He is often engaged in conversation with Hector and Lenny—who share their feelings and thoughts with him because they know he is trustworthy and not judgmental.

Lenny is another of the novel’s primary characters. He lives in Seldem with his dad, Leon. Like his other neighborhood friends, Lenny is 14 years old and on his own Journey Towards Self-Discovery. He loves his friends and his dad but spends the majority of his time alone. The narrator most often depicts him sitting in his driveway in his dad’s truck, listening to the radio or thinking about complex emotions and philosophical topics.

Lenny tries to formulate his identity by imitating his dad’s behaviors and spending time with his friends. The images of him driving his dad’s truck and chewing his dad’s tobacco are icons that represent his attempts to emulate his father even when these behaviors cause conflict with his friends. The surrounding images of him talking to his friends juxtapose that desire with his reliance on his peer relationships to make sense of his adolescent emotions.

Mrs. Bruning is one of the novel’s secondary characters. Her first name is Louise, but the narrator most often refers to her as Mrs. Bruning or Grosi. Mrs. Bruning lives in Seldem alone. Every Saturday, Debbie goes to Mrs. Bruning’s to help her with odd chores around the house. Debbie dusts and sweeps the house, cleans her gutters, cuts her hair, organizes her belongings, and engages her in conversation. While Debbie’s mother, Helen, regards Debbie’s weekend job as a sign of her selflessness, Debbie enjoys her time with Mrs. Bruning. Mrs. Bruning is empathetic, insightful, and gracious. She sees Debbie’s spirit and encourages her to claim her voice.

Mrs. Bruning is also Peter’s grandmother. Peter doesn’t know her well, but he appreciates the opportunity to spend time with her when his dad brings him to Seldem for a summer visit. Mrs. Bruning also acts as a bridge between Peter and Debbie. They meet through her, and she encourages their connection.

Rowanne is secondary character. She is Hector’s 17-year-old sister and lives in Seldem. Rowanne subverts the mean older-sister trope, in that she doesn’t belittle or torment Hector. Instead, she assumes an archetypal guide role in Hector’s Journey Towards Self-Discovery. She is gracious, understanding, and patient. She invites Hector to accompany her to her local events and includes him in her friend group although he’s three years younger. Rowanne also shares her experiences with Hector, listens to his frustrations and longings, and offers him advice as he comes of age.

Rowanne plays a similar role in Debbie’s coming-of-age experience. Debbie looks up to her like an older sister and feels comfortable sharing her questions and feelings with her. Rowanne treats Debbie with the same kindness and respect as she does Hector. Her character offers the younger characters grounding, comfort, and understanding. Her more static qualities—or seeming lack of change over the course of the novel—are signs of her dependency. She doesn’t alter her behavior because she’s assured of herself and is a reliable figure in Debbie and Hector’s lives.

Meadow is another of the novel’s minor characters. She first appears when Hector starts taking guitar lessons at the local church. Hector is immediately captivated by her: Meadow has “a thick, careless braid of chestnut hair, a quick smile, and dark, merry eyes” (72). Hector is also intrigued by Meadow’s movements. He “feel[s] melty” when he notices how she “cross[es] her legs and lift[s] her guitar onto her lap” while “tucking the foot of the bottom leg back under her chair” (72). Hector’s attention to Meadow’s appearance and body language conveys both his initial attraction and his interest in her as a person. He later engages her in conversation, which deepens his feelings for her.

Like Dan, Meadow passively creates conflict in Hector’s storyline because his feelings for her are unrequited. She starts dating Dan almost as soon as Hector meets her—igniting his feelings of jealousy and insecurity. Meadow never treats Hector with disdain, but she also never shows Hector the interest and reciprocity he wants.