Coyle’s Cousin Character Analysis

Although unnamed, this character is vital to understanding Anders’s personality. When Anders was young, Coyle’s cousin came from Mississippi to visit his neighborhood, and participated in a baseball game. He chose to play shortstop, believing it to be the best position on the field. When discussing his choice with the other players, Coyle’s cousin mispronounces a few words, and Anders is struck by the way these mispronunciations sound. To Anders, the mispronunciation sounds almost musical, and he runs on to the field while repeating the words. In Anders’s adult life, he would likely criticize the boy for the mistake, but in his youth, he considered such errors novel and interesting. Coyle’s cousin helps illustrate how dramatically Anders’s personality has altered, as he changes from a fascinated, passionate young man into a cynical, isolated adult.