‘No Homo’
From a young age, Aaron questions his sexuality but the reactions around him are never what wants them to be. The term ‘no homo’ is usually used to refract from any queer undertones in one’s words or behavior to maintain heteronormative masculinity. Between Thomas and Aaron, the use of the term appears constantly to avoid suggesting any sexual feelings. In action, Aaron chooses to have a girlfriend to give the impression that he is heterosexual even though he is not. The term symbolizes the veil that people in Aaron’s shoes take to prevent scrutiny or damaging any familial relationship.
The Leteo Procedure
The Leteo procedure is the surgery that creates conflict for most of the characters in the narrative. It is a means to erase the memories that may be causing pain or are unwanted moving forward in life. The protagonist uses it to eliminate the memory of his father’s death which he believes might be his fault. Moreover, to erase his gay feelings but later learns that it is part of who he is regardless. The procedure is a coping mechanism that the characters adopt to escape the pain and trauma of the past. It represents the inability to confront our truths and live with the pain that molds our future.
Journals
The aftermath of the Leteo procedure comes at a price that Aaron is, for the most part, unaware of. His inability to retain new memories and relive certain events forces Elsie to keep two journals. One is for Aaron to write down his feelings that he will eventually forget and the second is for his friends. Through the journals, he learns how life has changed for his friends during the moments he thought were the same. They act as a symbol of the life he has led without his knowledge and the connection to his family and friends.
Memories
The narrative dwells on the concept of memories in how they play a role in creating our identity. While painful memories drive the characters to undergo the memory-erasing procedure, they learn to live with them. The downside that comes with expunging the past is the lack of new memories going forward. By not knowing who you were you cannot know whom you are supposed to be. The message of the narrative is that these traumatic memories serve a purpose in molding our future. Through accepting their traumas they find a path towards happiness since memories make us who we are.
