The Bones Beneath My Skin

Content Warning: This section of the guide contains depictions of anti-gay bias, sexual content, and cursing.

“I’m sure your parents wouldn’t mind if you became someone you liked instead of the person you are. It’s better to be happy a little bit than to not be happy at all.”

As this passage illustrates, Art’s worldview reveals an optimistic mindset, for she remains focused on positive changes. Throughout the narrative, Nate follows the path that she sets out, becoming somebody he likes and therefore finding some small amount of happiness despite The Impact of Loss and Grief that still deeply affects him.

“‘Be polite, Alex,’ she said. ‘You told me that you have to be nice when you can because you don’t know when it could mean everything to someone.’”

A direct connection exists between Alex’s worldview and Art’s. Because she was a newcomer to the human race when she first arrived on Earth, Alex’s perspective became paramount to her burgeoning understanding of Earth and humanity, especially given that Art combined her mind with his. The interactions between the two demonstrate a healthy, respectful relationship: one that benefits Art just as it might benefit a child who must learn from her parents in order to survive.

“Randy pulled a face. “Don’t know how you can stand that. All those bigwigs in Washington. What the hell do they know about the working man? I don’t trust a word out of ol’ Slick Willie’s mouth. Now Reagan. You want to talk about a good man? You talk about Ronald Reagan. He knew how to take care of business, yes, sir.”

By putting on the stereotypical persona of a “good ole boy,” Randy attempts to disguise his real identity as a soldier and assassin from the Mountain, one who has been sent clandestinely to retrieve Art from Alex. To that end, he mimics what he perceives to be a typical rant from a working-class rural man.