Tears of a Tiger

Andy Jackson is the complex protagonist of the novel. His perspective is the primary one and all other points of view focus on him.

Andy struggles to accept his new position in the world. He has unintentionally killed his best friend and thrown his own life into disarray. He is a flat, static character, or one who doesn’t change. He is unable to overcome the guilt and depression that plagues him after the accident, and stays the same throughout the novel.

His friends explain that, prior to the accident, Andy was a class clown who acted up because teachers expected him to. To try and convince everyone that he is stable and managing his emotions well, he falls back into this role. He starts with playing the rebel, going against expectations that have been set for him. He resists the demands of his father, who expects him to go to college for business. He does not do well in class because he cannot win—if he doesn’t do well, that’s normal; if he does well, he must have cheated. Since he cannot win, he does not try to.

Andy later takes on the “joker” role by becoming the Master of Ceremonies at the high school talent show, where his girlfriend, Keisha, says he is acting like his old self. However, Andy’s joy is not real, which Keisha ultimately recognizes. This is the moment where Andy loses his footing and begins the decline that leads to the denouement of the novel—his suicide.

Tyrone is one of the core four friends in the story. He serves two roles—one prior to Andy’s suicide and one afterward. Prior to Andy’s death, Tyrone is primarily an “every man.” He does not particularly stand out, nor does he influence the story in meaningful ways. He is Andy’s friend and tries to lend support to Andy.

After Andy’s death, Tyrone becomes the “sage” archetype, or wisdom-seeker. Though it is too late for Andy to receive Tyrone’s advice and wisdom, he provides it in the form of a letter to Andy, which he writes at the recommendation of a grief counselor. He explains that Robbie’s death was accidental, but Andy’s death was a choice. He blames Andy for losing sight of what he had to live for and choosing a permanent escape. He does not understand Andy’s choice; he sees the world in a way that Andy doesn’t and therefore can consider different perspectives and approaches.