I Am the Cheese

Adam is the protagonist of the novel. He is portrayed sympathetically as the young victim of the novel’s corrupt adult forces. The narrative follows his (imagined) journey on his bike, and his remembered childhood journey into danger and disillusionment. Adam is often an unreliable narrator, part of the novel’s sensitive exploration of psychological distress. His bike journey is revealed to be untrue in a literal sense but highly revealing.

Adam’s imagined journey represents his resilience and makes him a highly sympathetic character. His journey is to visit his dad, expressive of his family loss. On the journey he demonstrates persistence, reflecting his real life challenges. Though he’s rather shy and quiet, he’s not a pushover. He stands up to a dog, Whipper, and Junior Varney, and he doesn’t let weather or inner turmoil upend his mission. Covered in rain, he yells, “I’m going back.” Replying to himself, he vows, “No, you’re not” (66). His alter-ego Amy symbolizes his longing for connection and a normal teenage life. The third-person narrator says, “[Amy] had brought brightness and gaiety to his life, and he didn’t want to risk losing it all” (76).

Adam changes throughout the story, so he’s a dynamic character.