Edwin Black Character Analysis in There There

Edwin Black is an isolated, frustrated, and confused half-Native young man who lives at home with his mother and spends most of his life getting lost on the internet. After earning a master’s degree in Native American literature and getting a promising start to his academic career, Edwin suddenly found himself floundering, unable to make a connection between the things he was studying and their reverberations in his own life. Edwin has never known who his father is, and, when readers first meet him, has just started to track down the man via Facebook, with help from his mother, Karen. Edwin has spent much of his life afraid to fully participate in the world, as he’s unsure of who he even is—but as the novel progresses, he begins making smarter choices in order to lose the weight he’s gained while living as a recluse and to involve himself more deeply in his community. As Edwin begins working as an intern on the powwow committee, he meets friends and allies in the community—and forms a close relationship with Blue, who turns out to be his half-sister. Edwin is ultimately able to reconnect with his father, Harvey, and though he’s wounded in the shootout at the powwow, the narrative suggests that Edwin will pull through his injuries.

Edwin Black Character Timeline in There There

The timeline below shows where the character Edwin Black appears in There There. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Cultural Identity vs. Personal Identity Theme Icon

Edwin Black sits on the toilet in his mother’s house, struggling with his sixth day of... (full context)

Edwin gets off the toilet and returns to his bedroom, where he is excited to see... (full context)

Interconnectedness, Coincidence, and Chance Theme Icon

Edwin hears a ping from his computer, which he knows means a message has been sent... (full context)

Edwin reads the message from Harvey, which states that he’s coming to Oakland for the Big... (full context)

Edwin considers how long he’s been waiting to learn about his own Native heritage, searching for... (full context)

When Karen comes home from work, she calls Edwin into the living room for a talk. Edwin complains, but his mother reminds him that... (full context)

Back in his room, Edwin listens to music on his headphones and lies down on the floor to do some... (full context)

...his pocket—it is his girlfriend Karen, no doubt calling to complain about “her man-boy son, Edwin.” Bill hates the way Karen coddles Edwin, and hates the entitled, self-obsessed way the younger... (full context)

Bill answers the phone call—Karen tells him that Edwin needs to be picked up from his new job at the Indian Center later. Karen... (full context)

...of alcohol. The janitor introduces himself to the new guy, who says his name is Edwin Black. Thomas takes the trash out and leaves the room, and then Blue clears her... (full context)

Edwin struggles to speak, offering up nervous half-sentences and explaining that he is an unenrolled member... (full context)

Just after dawn, Blue is on her way to pick up Edwin and drive him to the powwow—it is the day she has been anticipating and planning... (full context)

Blue pulls up to Edwin’s house and calls his phone. He doesn’t answer, so she gets out and knocks on... (full context)

Edwin hands Blue her coffee, and together they walk excitedly to the car. Edwin thinks about... (full context)

On the drive to the coliseum, Edwin begins telling Blue about the new story he’s writing about a Native guy who lives... (full context)

At the coliseum, Edwin and Blue set up their booth. Once it’s finished, Blue asks Edwin whether they should... (full context)

Blue and Edwin sit together at their booth, watching the dancers emerge from the locker room for Grand... (full context)

Blue and Edwin approach the sound tent, and Harvey seems to recognize Edwin right away. He puts his... (full context)

Calvin stands near the table where Blue and Edwin sit with the prize money, his hat pulled low around his face as he keeps... (full context)

Octavio springs into action, pointing his gun at Edwin and Blue. He is remarkably calm, Calvin notices, as he demands they hand over the... (full context)

...is in the employee office when he hears shots being fired, and immediately thinks of Edwin. He stands up and leaves the room, moving towards the sound. He starts running down... (full context)

Blue and Edwin escape the coliseum and get all the way to Blue’s car. Edwin is out of... (full context)

By the time Blue pulls up to the hospital, Edwin is unconscious. She runs inside to get someone to come out and help, and as... (full context)

...idea what it could be. She looks at Harvey, and is amazed by how much Edwin and Harvey look alike. She wonders if Harvey and Jacquie are together—and if they are,... (full context)