Who is Frederick Bootie Tubbs from The Emperor's Children and what is their importance?

Frederick "Bootie" Tubb is a young man in his mid-twenties, six feet tall, overweight, and wears glasses. He is unmarried, lives with his mother, and is unemployed. Bootie has recently left college because it did not live up to his expectations, and is embarking on a self-study program of education.

Bootie is saddled with an unattractive nickname, he has a sloppy appearance, and he gives the impression of being befuddled with life. He did very well in high school, where his classmates called him the professor and he graduated as valedictorian. His mother, Judy, had high hopes for him to become a politician and more important than his famous uncle, Murray Thwaite.