The Misfits: Different but Similar

After reading the book, The Misfits by James Howe, characters that seem different from one
another are actually really alike. Bobby and Mr.Kellerman, Adie and Ms.Wyman, and Joe and
Colin seem different, but thats in the beginning, if you read more towards the end of the book
you can find some similarities between these characters. It might not be likely based on how
different they seem, but they still have things in common.
One example to prove that characters that seem different on the outside are actually really
alike is the pairing of Bobby and Mr.Kellerman. According to The Misfits, Bobby said, Im
am just a get-along kind of guy (Howe pg 96). Based on this quote, Bobby basically admitted
that he is an easy, get-along kind of guy and based on the story so far, it proves that Bobby is an
easy, get- along guy, while Mr.Kellerman isnt. According to The Misfits, Skeezie (one of the
characters from this book) said, Is that your boss over there? The Grim Reaper? (Howe pg 5).
The Grim Reaper and boss in this quote is referring to Mr.Kellerman. This proves that hes
kind of scary based on the names he is being called in this quote, and that he isnt a easy, getalong kind of guy like Bobby. Later on in The Misfits, Mr.Kellerman said, We have both lost
our mothers, he sighs. And do you know? We have something else in common. Our names?
(Howe pg 206). This quote explains that even though Bobby and Mr. Kellerman are different,
based on how people view them, they also have some things in common. It may be few
similarities, but it means a lot to these two characters. This proves that characters that seem
different can be really really alike.

Another example to prove that characters who seem different are actually really alike is
the pairing of Addie and Ms.Wyman. Addie is a student while Ms.Wyman is a teacher. According
to The Misfits, it said, There is no new for a new political party. Ms.Wyman states flatly
Thursday morning in homeroom. Work within the system, Ms. Carle (Howe pg 65). This quote
is referring to Addie, Carle is Addies last name. This quote shows that Ms.Wyman is strict on
rules, while Addie bends rules. According to The Misfits, Addie said, Were the third party.
Weve already broken rules (Howe pg 235). This quote shows that Addie breaks rules many
times and in the earlier quote it said that Ms.Wyman said there will not be a third party but, still
Addie formed one which means she broke one of the rules. As you get to the end of the book, it
shows that these two are actually quite similar. According to The Misfits, it said, Ms.Wyman,
I will not utter empty words, false-hoods lies(Howe pg20). Addie is saying this because she
refuse to say the Pledge of Allegiance She is standing up for what she believe in and Ms.Wyman
does too, because she expect everyone to to say the Pledge of Allegiance. Theyre both really
stubborn. This proves that characters that seem different are actually alike.
The final example to prove that characters that seem different are actually really alike is
the pairing of Joe and Colin. According to The Misfits, it said, Colin is one of the popular
kids (How pg 77). Yes, Colin is a popular kid unlike Joe who isnt popular but one of the misfit.
Later on the book, it shows that these two have a major similarity. According to The Misfits,
Joe said, Ive told you before, Skeezie Im gay (Howe pg 115). This quote clearly stated that
Joe is gay. Later on toward the end of the book, Colin was found to be gay too. According to the
The Misfits, it said, And then told Joe that he liked him, and could they go out together,
(Howe pg 265). This quote shows that Colin likes Joe and since theyre both guys/boys it clearly

means that he is gay just like Joe. Lucky they both like each other. This final example proves that
people who seem different are actually very alike.
Some may say that these pairings of characters might have one or two things in common
but the differences overpower the similarities. For example, Mr.Kellerman believe the names he
had been called since he was young and in The Misfits, Mr.Kellerman said, I believe every
name I was called in school and took them with me into the rest of my life (Howe pg 232). This
quote explains that Mr.Kellerman had been called names since he was young and it hurt him a lot
that he cant seem to forget about it for the rest of his life. Bobby tried to do something to stop
name calling. In The Misfits, Bobby said, I am about to stop being a get -along kind of guy
and turn into somebody who makes a difference (Howe pg 135). This quote clearly stated that
Bobby is going to stop being a get-along kind of guy and do something about something, which
is name calling. Bobby tried to stop name calling, but Mr.Kellerman didnt he believed the
names he had been called, but the similarities is also important, everything about a person makes
up who this certain person is. Even though these 2 are different they both had been bullied
(called names), and their mother died. For Addie and Ms.Wyman, Addie bends rules Ms.Wyman
are strict on rules, but still they are both stubborn and try hard to stand up to what they believe in.
Finally, for Joe and Colin. Joe and Colin may be gay, but Colin is popular and doesnt get bully
but Joe isnt popular and does get bully. These paring may seem really different or opposite, but
even so they have certain things in common. It may seem unlikely, but it certainly true that if
characters/people seem really different, deep down somewhere they may be really alike. It can
just be that you cant see how are they alike because you dont know much about these
characters/people you are comparing to one another. Its not about quantities, but its about
qualities. The qualities of the similarities over power the differences. This doesnt mean that

qualities of differences or similarities doesnt matter, but in a certain person/character it best to

know more about him/her and then compare them to others and see if they are really different or
alike in different ways.
In conclusion, characters that seem different are actually really similar/alike. Its had been
proven by the parings of Bobby and Mr.Kellerman, Addie and Ms.Wyman, and Joe and Colin.
The most important things are quality if you want to compare people/character to one another.
Its not about quantity but its how important the similarities they have in common with. A
knowledgeable idea of the characters/people help you conclude that are they similar or different.
Overall, Character/people who seem different can actually be really alike. You should be open to
everyone you meet - you might have more in common than you first think!