Popcorn

Popcorn represents Andrew’s anxiety disorders. This symbol gives the novel its title and shows the protagonist’s creativity, a key personality trait he uses to cope with his mental health conditions. Andrew compares living with anxiety to being a kernel of corn in “a pan full of slippery oil” (73), and the moment the mounting internal pressure makes the kernel pop symbolizes a panic attack. The symbol of popcorn contributes to the novel’s suspense and structure by signaling the approach and arrival of the story’s climax. For instance, the frightened Andrew notes that he’s “edging closer to that last notch on the Kernel Scale” when he needs to use the eye wash station in Chapter 14 (188). In Chapter 16, Harrell uses the symbol to make it clear that Andrew is beginning to have a panic attack after seeing his reflection in the art room’s mirror: “My kernel is popping” (210). In the final chapter, popcorn symbolism contributes to the story’s message of resilience: “My kernel popped today. It exploded. It was the worst thing in the world that I could imagine, and I survived” (259). The presentation of this symbol ends on a triumphant note, reinforcing the happy ending and the protagonist’s growth.