Jack King, a Black teenager, is the novel’s protagonist. He’s a senior in high school and faces many of the conventional challenges seen in young adult novels, including teenage romance, prom, preparing for graduation and college, conflicts with parents and friends, and developing his sense of identity. Jack narrates the story, so the novel reveals his character largely through his interpretation of himself. Early in the novel, Jack is incredibly hard on himself. He sees himself as unworthy of his name—“Except my mom’s always reminding me that I was named for Jackie Robinson, who broke through the pro sports color barrier, and Ralph Ellison, writer and scholar, best known for his seminal work Invisible Man” (15)—and incapable of romantic success and lasting happiness. Because of his low self-esteem, Jack is terrified of loving and losing. He avoids getting hurt by never putting himself out there romantically. This characteristic is his knot—the flaw that defines his character arc’s initial state and which he must overcome to reach his goal.

Despite his fear, a desire to live up to the high expectations of his parents, friends, and society motivates Jack. He embraces the values and morals his parents instilled in him.