Danny Matz

Danny Matz is the narrator of the story. As an adult, he writes about the various things he and his friends worried about when they were young boys, including bullying, religious authority figures, fights, and other concerns. The narrator was raised in an apartment building full of working class families. His father was rude and verbally abusive toward him while his mother was passive. The narrator writes with a straightforward tone, neglecting to interpret many of the anecdotes he provides to readers. However, as the story progresses, the narrator's voice shifts to a more reflective version of his younger self, suggesting that he matures over the course of the narrative.

Carl Matz

Carl Matz is the narrator's father. He is harsh, abrasive, and verbally abusive of his son. Carl Matz forces Danny to box Sharon Weber, who takes advantage of the narrator's confusion and beats him vigorously...