Homoeroticism and Repressed Sexuality

Rio builds suspense in the novel and complicates her characters through the homoerotic scenes between James and Oliver. The men’s repressed sexuality fuels a toxic cycle of lies and betrayal as each struggle to ignore their natural attraction. It also results in skewed power dynamics that disturb the group's harmony.

Initially, James appears to be the more attached of the two. First, his strange behavior in combat class reveals his simultaneous unwillingness and compulsion to hurt Oliver. The anger James exhibits proves to Oliver that James harbors deep and conflicted feelings toward him. Next, there is James’ dismissal of Meredith’s pursuit of Oliver. When Oliver cites Richard as his reason for turning Meredith down, James asks, “Is that the only reason?” (134). Clearly, James hopes he might be partially responsible for Oliver’s reluctance to hook up with Meredith. Oliver is largely...