Several characters struggle to find balance in the emotions they feel, largely because of Brewster’s ability to take away any suffering and negative emotions from them. Despite the supernatural aspect of this ability, it sheds light on the very real dangers of allowing single emotions—especially negative ones—to overwhelm one’s life.

At the start of the text, Tennyson tends to allow his anger and overprotectiveness toward his sister Brontë to greatly impact his life. He plays lacrosse in an effort to channel his anger, and he frequently gets in fights in school. After he crashes Brontë’s first date with Brewster, she challenges him on his arrogance and his anger, calling him a “bully.” This accusation prompts an epiphany in Tennyson as he begins to realize the degree to which his negative emotions have controlled his life and personality.

Conversely, as he comes under the influence of Brewster, his negative emotions are taken away, replaced by contentment and calm. While this initially seems like a positive development, it prevents Tennyson from dealing with his negative emotions and thus prevents him from maturing or achieving a deeper understanding of himself. He initially fails to recognize his situation. When he pauses in the doorway of his house, hesitant to leave the sphere of Brewster’s magical influence, this literal threshold serves as a

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