Robert

Robert, or Bobby, is the narrator of "Creature of the Night" and is the central protagonist of the narrative. He is fourteen years old when the novel opens. His mother, only twenty-eight years old, and his little half-brother, Dennis, four, comprise his family. Robert does not consider Dennis a 'real' brother, and Robert's mother will not tell him anything about his real father. The relationships between Robert and his mother, and between Robert and his brother, are strained and dysfunctional, and often become somewhat physically violent. He often swears at his mother and frequently calls her vituperative names. Robert uses profanity regularly and smokes as often as he can steal cigarettes. He binge drinks as often as he can obtain alcohol and he uses drugs as frequently as he can obtain them. Robert's behavior typically is criminal. During the novel he steals and wrecks an automobile, shoplifts several...