Bobby Garfield

Even though Bobby Garfield appears as a major character in only two stories in this collection, “Low Men in Yellow Coats” and “Heavenly Shades of Night Are Falling,” his actions as a child help to determine the paths the lives of the other characters take. The reader witnesses Bobby’s loss of childhood innocence and the destruction of his belief that he could overcome evil. Regardless, Bobby is the hero of “Low Men in Yellow Coats” because after finding Carol beaten up by Harry and his friends, Bobby carries Carol (who is bigger than he is) from the park to Ted. Later, Bobby goes back and ambushes Harry, beating him with a baseball bat in retaliation for Carol. Bobby’s willingness to stand up for the “little guy” (406) is what motivates Carol to protest the Vietnam War.

Bobby goes through a period in which he is rebellious...