Blue / Bram Character Analysis in Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda

Simon and Blue begin emailing right before their junior year of high school starts after Blue posts on the school Tumblr, creeksecrets, about the anxiety he feels about being gay. Through their emails, Simon learns that Blue closely guards the fact that he's gay and desperately doesn't want Simon to figure out who he is in real life. Simon also perceives Blue as somewhat flighty, as he believes that were Blue to find out about Martin's blackmail, he'd stop emailing altogether. As a kid, Blue always dressed up as a superhero for Halloween and he thinks of being gay as being his superhero identity. He starts signing off with "love" on emails before Simon and is flirty in a way that surprises Simon. As time goes on, Simon learns that Blue's dad is Jewish, while Blue's mom is Christian; though Blue worries about his parents' reactions to his sexuality, both of them are supportive when he does choose to come out. After a fight about whether or not Simon and Blue should exchange phone numbers and meet in real life, Blue leaves Simon an Elliott Smith tee shirt in his locker with his phone number hidden inside; Simon doesn't find it until much later. Though Simon makes several incorrect guesses as to who Blue is, he eventually discovers that Blue is Bram, one of Nick's friends. He's also black, which is one of the primary reasons why Simon didn't suspect Bram of being Blue. In real life Bram is extremely shy, quiet, and very smart. He chooses to come out to everyone after Simon figures out that he’s Blue, and the two start dating. Though they are intimate in private (and dark public spaces), they still try to keep a distance in public as they don't feel entirely safe being out and gay in small-town Georgia.

Blue / Bram Quotes in Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda

The Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda quotes below are all either spoken by Blue / Bram or refer to Blue / Bram. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:

“Remember the way people would look at you blankly and say, ‘Um, okaaay,’ after you finished talking? Everyone just had to make it so clear that, whatever you were thinking or feeling, you were totally alone. The worst part, of course, was that I did the same thing to other people.”

Related Characters: Blue / Bram (speaker), Simon Spier

Page Number and Citation: 14

Explanation and Analysis:

If Blue were a real junior at Creekwood with a locker and a GPA and a Facebook profile, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be telling him anything. I mean, he is a real junior at Creekwood. I know that. But in a way, he lives in my laptop.

Related Characters: Simon Spier (speaker), Blue / Bram

Page Number and Citation: 17

Explanation and Analysis:

Like the way you can memorize someone's gestures but never know their thoughts. And the feeling that people are like houses with vast rooms and tiny windows.

Related Characters: Simon Spier (speaker), Blue / Bram

Page Number and Citation: 18

Explanation and Analysis:

“I completely see the appeal of being someone else for the evening (or in general). Actually, I was a bit of a one-trick pony myself when I was little. I was always a superhero. I guess I liked to imagine myself having this complicated secret identity. Maybe I still do. Maybe that's the whole point of these emails.”

Related Characters: Blue / Bram (speaker), Simon Spier

Related Symbols: Holidays, Superheroes

Page Number and Citation: 36

Explanation and Analysis:

I mean, how does a person look when his walls are coming down?

Related Characters: Simon Spier (speaker), Blue / Bram, Cal Price

Page Number and Citation: 131

Explanation and Analysis:

“As a side note, don't you think everyone should have to come out? Why is straight the default? Everyone should have to declare one way or another, and it should be this big awkward thing whether you're straight, gay, bi, or whatever.”

Related Characters: Simon Spier (speaker), Blue / Bram

Page Number and Citation: 146

Explanation and Analysis:

“It is definitely annoying that straight (and white, for that matter) is the default, and that the only people who have to think about their identity are the ones who don't fit that mold.”

Related Characters: Blue / Bram (speaker), Simon Spier, Martin Addison

Page Number and Citation: 147

Explanation and Analysis:

The problem is, I'm beginning to realize I hardly know anything about anyone. I mean I generally know who's a virgin. But I don't have a clue whether most people's parents are divorced, or what their parents do for a living […] And these are my best friends. I've always thought of myself as nosy, but I guess I'm just nosy about stupid stuff.

Related Characters: Simon Spier (speaker), Blue / Bram, Abby Suso, Leah, Nick

Page Number and Citation: 211

Explanation and Analysis:

“I feel stupid for not knowing that,” I say.

“Why would you feel stupid? I guess I never mentioned it.”

“But I never asked.”

Related Characters: Simon Spier (speaker), Abby Suso (speaker), Blue / Bram

Page Number and Citation: 215

Explanation and Analysis:

I guess I assumed that Blue would be white. Which kind of makes me want to smack myself. White shouldn't be the default any more than straight should be the default. There shouldn't even be a default.

Related Characters: Simon Spier (speaker), Blue / Bram, Cal Price

Page Number and Citation: 261

Explanation and Analysis:

Blue / Bram Character Timeline in Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda

The timeline below shows where the character Blue / Bram appears in Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...out doesn't really scare him—it'll just be awkward—but he's not sure what it'll mean for Blue, the boy he's been anonymously emailing. (full context)

Blue is a private person and would never forget to log out of his email on... (full context)

...student to see. Ms. Albright calls Martin onstage, and as Martin leaves, he asks who Blue is. Simon answers that he lives in California, but this is a lie: Blue lives... (full context)

Family, Change, and Growing Up Theme Icon

...gay people." He explains, however, that he doesn't talk about "gay stuff" with anyone but Blue—not even Nick and Leah. As Nick goes off on a tangent about a dream he... (full context)

In an email to Blue, Simon refers to middle school as an "endless horror show" and lists some events that... (full context)

Blue writes back that it would be depressing if Simon's actual proudest moment took place in... (full context)

...the worst thing about Martin blackmailing him is that he can't bring it up with Blue. Though they don't talk about any identifying details of their identities, they otherwise don't keep... (full context)

...tries to participate in the conversation, but he's distracted thinking about Martin and wondering if Blue thinks he's a fake since he’s dated girls in the past. He also notices that... (full context)

Simon emails Blue and tells him that he's never worn a scary costume for Halloween before; his family... (full context)

...over to listen to Nick and thinks about Cal Price, who he's pretty sure is Blue—when they look at each other, he feels as though they get each other. (full context)

...that he and Leah don't drink and have never had sex, and he thinks that Blue is just like them. (full context)

Blue emails Simon that his Halloween was very quiet and he ate a bunch of candy.... (full context)

Blue replies that he does indeed feel trapped into his identity, but in a way that's... (full context)

...Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night in English class, and Simon watches soccer boys including Nick, Garrett, and Bram squeeze onto Mr. Wise's couch in tiny cheerleading uniforms. Simon is surprisingly attracted to the... (full context)

...going to Waffle House like usual. Simon agrees, excited to be in the stands with Blue, but Leah looks angry. When Abby sits down and starts talking about the game, Leah... (full context)

...and bright the stadium lights are. The excitement in the air makes Simon understand why Blue likes homecoming. Abby races up and asks Nick and Simon if they want to walk... (full context)

...given how attractive Cal looks. He thinks about saying something to see if Cal is Blue, but decides against it. Martin slides in next to Simon and quietly says that Abby... (full context)

Simon and Blue are emailing about whether or not Oreos are a food group. Simon insists they are,... (full context)

Simon feels jittery after reading that Blue likes to imagine him fantasizing about sex. He's confused, mostly because Blue never writes stuff... (full context)

At four in the morning on the day after Simon's birthday, he emails Blue and apologizes for the sugary, exhausted mess that his email will surely be. He laments... (full context)

...amazed when he discovers he got 100% until he realizes that Mr. Wise gave him Bram's quiz. Bram shyly accepts his quiz from Simon, and Simon tells the reader he thinks... (full context)

Blue emails Simon and admits that in his curiosity about Simon's email address (hourtohour.notetonote), he searched... (full context)

In Simon's reply, he is shocked to learn that Blue is Jewish and commends Blue for thinking about coming out. He asks how Blue thinks... (full context)

On Thursday, Simon is far too preoccupied thinking about Blue and the fact that Blue's mom and Blue’s dad are religious to pay any attention... (full context)

Simon emails Blue and asks if he came out, and Blue says he didn't exactly come out. He... (full context)

Simon comforts Blue about having divorced parents and says he's planning on just sitting his parents down and... (full context)

...script. Both Abby and Martin have their lines better memorized, so Simon's mind wanders to Blue. He's pulled back to real life when he hears Abby telling Martin "no." Martin is... (full context)

...cute, he's not Abby's type or Simon's type. At a red light, Simon thinks about Blue how is telling Blue’s mom tonight that he's gay, and he asks Abby if he... (full context)

Blue writes to Simon that Blue’s mom took the news relatively well. She's an epidemiologist, so... (full context)

Simon tells Blue about his own coming out experience. He says that now he feels as though he's... (full context)

Simon feels as though he absolutely has to meet Blue in person. He tries to tell himself that Blue lives in his computer, but Simon... (full context)

...a discussion of Doctor Who while Simon lies on the floor, lost in thought about Blue. Simon thinks he has no idea how to tell Nick and Leah he's gay, as... (full context)

...Leah that he's gay this past week, and tries to not think about how flirtatious Blue is. Martin walks onstage in a nightgown and curlers, and Ms. Albright calls the group... (full context)

...asks Cal about his drawing. It's of a superhero, which makes Simon's heart clench given Blue's affinity for superheroes. Simon looks up to see Abby looking at him knowingly, so he... (full context)

A few days before Christmas, Blue writes that he came home from school to find both his parents at Blue's mom's... (full context)

Blue very much appreciates Simon's humor and admits he's not too upset about having a stepsibling.... (full context)

...with a winking emoji, he thinks it's gross but he also cannot stop thinking about Blue signing his emails with "love." Alice receives a phone call, leaves to take it, and... (full context)

...because Alice is at college or if it's because he's spent his week pining over Blue, who isn't ready to meet in person. After dinner, Simon joins Nora and his parents... (full context)

...sexuality and his sexual availability to any interested guys. The post makes sly references to Blue. Nora explains she already reported it, and Simon knows that Martin did it. He hopes... (full context)

...early. He sits with Bieber on the couch until everyone else gets up, thinking about Blue. Everyone else is up by nine, and Mom makes a big fuss when Simon pours... (full context)

Simon emails Blue and says he had a weird and awful Christmas in which he came out to... (full context)

Blue emails Simon and writes that his New Year's was pretty slow. His stepmom and the... (full context)

Blue laughs at the superhero Sharpies and then says he's not ready to exchange numbers. He's... (full context)

...Leah a boyfriend. Leah icily says she's not interested and leaves the table, which makes Bram and Garrett exchange a look. Simon tells Bram to ask Leah out if he likes... (full context)

...pester Nick. Abby hangs over the fence and Simon enjoys the view. Nick, Garrett, and Bram all run over during a break to say hi. As Abby and Nick flirt, Simon... (full context)

...be in control of when he came out, and it's awful that he brought up Blue too. Martin starts to cry but agrees to leave, and Simon cries as soon as... (full context)

Simon emails Blue, excited that it's snowing but upset about his day. He asks Blue if he ever... (full context)

Simon isn't surprised that Blue figured out his identity, but he feels horrible for thinking that Cal was Blue. All... (full context)

...and Simon doesn't know how to explain to them that he's kind of already taken. Blue, however, hasn't been returning emails, and Simon thinks Blue seemed to like him better before... (full context)

Simon emails Blue and promises he won't push Blue to reveal himself before he's ready, but he thinks... (full context)

...that Nora is mysteriously out of the house. He runs through what he knows about Blue, but realizes that he doesn't know much about anyone in his class. He doesn't know... (full context)

...a homophobic prank, but it turns out to be an Elliott Smith tee shirt from Blue. Simon considers changing into it, but he feels self-conscious and decides not to. Simon feels... (full context)

...Simon is excited to wear his makeup to lunch. Leah loves it, and Simon notices Bram staring. After lunch, he heads back to the auditorium. Simon is excited at the thought... (full context)

While washing his makeup off that afternoon, it suddenly hits Simon that Blue could be Martin—he shares a name with former president Martin Van Buren. Simon thinks through... (full context)

Bram and another kid had birthdays over the weekend, so there are two sheet cakes at... (full context)

...a terrible friend, but also reasons that whatever Martin shared with Abby, he didn't mention Blue. Simon reasons that this could mean that Martin isn't Blue. (full context)

...his computer and logs into his secret email. He suddenly realizes that every email from Blue is time-stamped, and most were sent while Simon, Martin, and Cal were in rehearsal in... (full context)

On Sunday morning, Simon writes a lengthy email to Blue. He says he knows who Blue is on the inside, even if he doesn't know... (full context)

Simon tries not to think about his email to Blue as he heads to school for the Sunday matinee performance. He barely remembers the performance... (full context)

Before heading to the carnival, Simon drives home to get the Elliott Smith shirt that Blue gave him. After the shirt is on, Simon feels something pokey on his back. He... (full context)

Simon gets to the carnival by seven. He's worried that Blue has already come and gone, but busies himself buying tickets and riding all the rides.... (full context)

By eight thirty in the evening, Simon still hasn't found Blue. He feels like an idiot for having had Blue's phone number under his pillow for... (full context)

Simon does his best to keep the ride from spinning too much as Bram holds his hands over his nose and mouth. They step out and to the curb... (full context)

Simon apologizes for not figuring it out, and Bram insists that all of Simon's dropped hints didn't do as much as the fact that... (full context)

On Monday, Simon spots Bram in English class and thinks he looks adorable sitting next to Garrett. Garrett compliments Simon's... (full context)

Bram shows up at Simon's locker right before lunch and suggests they go off campus. Only... (full context)

They eat in the car. Simon says, "Abraham," and then leans in to kiss Bram. After they kiss, they turn back to their Oreos. Simon asks if Bram is ready... (full context)

The next day, Abby asks Simon what's going on with Bram. Simon blushes, and Abby tells him he's cute and sends him away. At lunch, Simon... (full context)

...to let him go in exchange for five minutes on Simon's Facebook to look at Bram. Before Leah can say anything, Simon jumps into the passenger seat. Leah tells Simon to... (full context)

...that Abby befriended Simon over anyone else. Martin apologizes again, wishes Simon good luck with Bram, and says he enjoyed getting to know him. He closes by admitting that if he... (full context)

...arrive for the school talent show just as the lights are going down. They find Bram and Garrett in the back and sit with them. When the lights go out completely,... (full context)

Emoji's music is electric, and girls dance in the aisles. Simon thinks that Bram was right that people are like houses, with big rooms and small windows. Nick admits... (full context)

Bram looks mischievous and says he's in as he heads to the atrium with Simon. Simon... (full context)

...on so she can text when they're on their way home, and then Simon follows Bram to his car. They don't hold hands, as it feels too public for Georgia. As... (full context)

Simon feels as though he's seeing his house for the first time when Bram walks in. Bram greets Bieber and looks at family photos on the way up to... (full context)

Bram and Simon are seated in the living room with textbooks by the time Mom and... (full context)