Tommy Kennedy Character Analysis in I Am the Messenger

Tommy is Ed’s younger brother. Since they were children, Tommy has seemingly been better than Ed at every activity they undertake. Tommy lives in the city and is studying to become a lawyer. He has an attractive girlfriend named Ingrid. Tommy serves as an example of someone who has achieved traditional success in both his romantic life and his career, success which at the beginning of the novel Ed feels inadequate for not having.

Tommy Kennedy Character Timeline in I Am the Messenger

The timeline below shows where the character Tommy Kennedy appears in I Am the Messenger. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Purpose, Success, and Meaning Theme Icon

...in one of the bad neighborhoods. Ed stayed in his childhood home until his younger brother, Tommy, left for college. Ed was too lazy to get accepted into college, so now... (full context)

...family photo. The photo shows Ed’s Ma, his father, his two sisters, and his younger brother. Only half the people in the photo are smiling. Ed describes his father as a... (full context)

...his Ma, he realizes she has replaced the coffee table she got him with one Tommy, Ed’s brother, bought her. When Ed expresses offense at this, Ma insults his personal taste... (full context)

Heroism, Sainthood, and Ordinariness Theme Icon

...Jerry. He tells the boss he needs to take his taxi home to help his brother move. The boss initially refuses but then agrees when Ed reminds him that he’s a... (full context)

...chases after him. Ed remembers a similar situation where he was chasing after his younger brother, who was always faster than him. They used to race each other to the river... (full context)

...the river as the sun begins to rise. He thinks about how he and his brother used to fish upstream while standing on smooth rocks. (full context)

...stones. The sun is rising, and his cab doors are still unlocked. Ed pictures his brother and himself climbing over the stones. He realizes this is the “home” the card was... (full context)

Later that night, Ed is talking to his own brother, Tommy, on the phone. He is asking Tommy if he is the one sending the... (full context)

...In response, Tony invites Ed into his home. Hesitantly, Tony explains that he and his brother are estranged. Ed says Tony does not need to talk about it if he doesn’t... (full context)

...shops, and pushing around weaker children. Gavin lives with his hard-drinking mother and equally criminal brother in the poor part of town. The brothers fight constantly. One night, Ed sees the... (full context)

...a little bit away from Gavin and asks him what happened. Gavin answers that his brother is a jerk. He repeats again that he wants to kill Daniel. Ed leaves, thinking... (full context)

Ed knows his next task is helping Gavin and his brother. He doesn’t believe that Gavin and Daniel have ever truly had to deal with an... (full context)

...to his Ma’s house for Christmas. His sisters arrive with their kids and husbands. His brother, Tommy, brings his beautiful new girlfriend, Ingrid. Ma seems the least happy to see Ed... (full context)

Tommy stops Ed on the front step to make sure he is okay. Ed say he... (full context)

Tommy returns to the house and Ed tries to leave. His Ma stops him again. She... (full context)