Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in It’s Kind of a Funny Story, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Mental Health
Art and Self-Discovery
Peer Pressure vs. Self-Empowerment
Friendship and Romance
Summary
Analysis
Nurse Monica takes Craig to an office to interview him. Craig talks about how Aaron called, but Craig has decided he’s done with Aaron and Nia too. Monica says she’s seen Craig with Humble and Bobby and warns him not to get too close, because his first priority should be to get better. Monica ends the interview by saying Craig will have to get involved in an activity, starting with arts and crafts this evening.
The novel leaves open the question of whether Monica’s advice—not to get too close to the other patients—is prudent or misguided. Each of Craig’s relationships with the other patients is different, helping him to discover different parts of himself. Still, Monica’s advice emphasizes how ultimately, Craig has to learn to handle his mental health on his own.
Themes
