Always Running

by

Luis J. Rodriguez

Wilo Character Analysis

Wilo is another one of Luis Rodriguez’s childhood friends. He joins The Tribe with Luis, and later the gang merges with the Lomas. Wilo is a close friend to Luis for long stretches of his teen years, and at one point it’s strongly implied that Wilo saves Luis’s life. On the night in question, Luis is getting high by inhaling clear plastic, and loses consciousness, almost dying in the process. It is Wilo who takes the clear plastic away from Luis when he regains consciousness, ensuring that Luis—who’s almost suicidal at this point in his life—can recover.
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Wilo Character Timeline in Always Running

The timeline below shows where the character Wilo appears in Always Running. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 2
Gangs and Crime Theme Icon
Machismo Theme Icon
Race, Racism, and Class Theme Icon
Coming of Age and Mentorship Theme Icon
...the age of thirteen, Luis starts spending all his time with some friends named Clavo, Wilo and Chicharrón—together, “The Animal Tribe.” The Animal Tribe (or just “The Tribe”) is a powerful... (full context)
Chapter 3
Gangs and Crime Theme Icon
Luis, Wilo, Clavo, and Chicharrón spend more time together after they join The Tribe. They spray-paint their... (full context)
Chapter 4
Gangs and Crime Theme Icon
Machismo Theme Icon
Coming of Age and Mentorship Theme Icon
...him awake. As he regains consciousness, Luis tries to get even higher, but his friend Wilo sternly tells him, “Give me the bag.” Luis learns that he stopped breathing for a... (full context)
Gangs and Crime Theme Icon
Machismo Theme Icon
Coming of Age and Mentorship Theme Icon
Wilo’s sister, Payasa, has a crush on Luis, and they begin dating. Luis notices that Payasa... (full context)
Chapter 5
Gangs and Crime Theme Icon
Coming of Age and Mentorship Theme Icon
Wilo and Payasa move to a new neighborhood, partly to escape the violence. Just before they... (full context)