Talk:Poll Archive/@comment-30168905-20171226234149/@comment-27750532-20171229103359

I totally agree with you. Michael is the least unlike the high school stereotype that he is initially labelled as, and PB makes this a major plot point in the book. Your relationship with him is 2-dimensional (unlike some of the others, eg Caleb) and you know WHY he likes you and thinks you're special (that's because you are one of the only people that truly understand him). In the scene where he is convinced to join the football team it is clear you understand his core values, adding a new dynamic to your relationshp, because you CHANGE him for the better: from someone who is afraid to show care for the school to someone who does show care for the school. It is also made clear how misunderstood he his - his greatest fear is disappointing others (very unselfish, unlike his labelled stereotype), and in Book 2 Chapter 7 he says he belongs to Slytherin but (Myra says) he really belongs to Gryffindor. This is so true - he might seem like a selfish rebel with only his own priorities at heart but in reality he is an emotionally damaged boy who pretends to be selfish to not "disappoint anyone" by setting "low expectations" (in his own words!). No other character in this book is as dynamic as Michael - because your character changes him.