Friendship

Friendship is a major and dominant theme in the novel "Impulse" by Ellen Hopkins. The idea of friendship touches upon every single aspect of the lives of the three main characters in the novel, each in different ways. Friendship proves to be the launching ground for each of the characters to attempt to rebuild their lives.

Conner arrives at Aspen Springs believing he is in control and that he will manipulate people and events around him as needed so he can get out of Aspen Springs as fast as possible. He meets Tony and Vanessa and is attracted to each of them in different ways. Vanessa is sexually appealing, Tony is friendly and caring. Through the course of the next several weeks, Conner lets down most of his defenses, reaching out to confide in Tony and Vanessa about the dark parts of his past. In turn, he steps...