Max’s journey, like many of the journeys we have read this year is one of self-discovery and going against the expectations and norms of society in order to be ourselves. Max makes the difficult decision to go against his father, who alienates him from his family, in order to love freely. Set against the background of his family history, a history filled with going against family wishes in order to pursue true love, Max’s life story of finding love in forbidden places and going against society in order to find himself and his own happiness is strong and heroic.

“Lying beside Nick while he slept, … Max said, I love you.” (67) Max’s journey of self-discovery despite the intense pressures going against him is inspiring. Max is certainly a true hero with which many of us can identify with because of his bravery against the unfairness of the world. He defies the world. In his argument with his father he declares: “Yes! Everybody’s wrong! … And it’s not the first time.” (79) Despite the consequences, Max stands up for himself.