New York

When “New York” is something Arthur thinks about, he uses it to compare himself to others around him, and notes how he doesn’t live up to others’ standards. When Arthur thinks about New York, he is reminded of how much he doesn’t fit in. “From what I can tell, that’s the whole point of New York: being cool. I’m not cool,” he thinks (3). And even when Arthur thinks that Ben is doing something that would be more fitting for Arthur’s personality, namely saying “I love you,” even though it’s extremely soon, he still extends his mental framework to include how he wouldn’t be cool enough to do the same. “Is he… about to say what I think he’s going to say? It feels soon. But I guess New Yorkers don’t really mess around,” (251).

To Arthur, “New...