Barry Character Analysis in The Vanishing Half

Barry is one of Reese and Jude’s friends in Los Angeles. Older than both of them, Barry met Reese when Reese first moved to the city. He recognized that Reese needed support and friendship, so he let him stay at his apartment for a while. Most people know Barry as a high school chemistry teacher, but in the evenings, he transforms into Bianca, a drag queen who performs at drag shows in Los Angeles’s vibrant queer community. Barry helps Jude make sense of her feelings for Reese, urging the two young lovers to start officially dating.

Barry Character Timeline in The Vanishing Half

The timeline below shows where the character Barry appears in The Vanishing Half. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Companionship, Support, and Independence Theme Icon

In Los Angeles, Jude becomes acquainted with Reese’s friends. She grows especially close with Barry, a high school chemistry teacher who performs at drag shows under the stage name Bianca.... (full context)

Jude rushes out of the apartment and goes to Barry’s house. Reese has never raised his voice at her, but she remembers the way her... (full context)

Reese met Barry not long after moving to Los Angeles. He was at a nightclub when Barry came... (full context)

Barry gets cast in the chorus of a low-budget musical. When Jude and Reese go to... (full context)

...instead wanting her to focus on school and pursue a practical profession. Later, Jude asks Barry about Kennedy, and he says that she’s a spoiled rich girl. Jude is intrigued, but... (full context)