Holes- Character Analysis

Stanley Yelnats

Overweight. No friends. Constantly bullied. Unlucky though he may seem, Stanley always carries the hope that his luck will eventually turn around.

Seeing that the Camp Green Lake is his only chance for making some friends, he was at pains to get along with everyone, not realising that he has to compromise himself along the way. At first glance everyone seems rather friendly... as long as you don’t threaten their authority. So Stanley keeps quiet and does as the leader of the gang, X-Ray pleases (a green one our Stanley is, eh). However under the furious sun, the reader and Stanley himself come to a conclusion that “his muscles and hands aren’t the only parts of his body that had toughened over the past several weeks that he spent at the punishment centre. His heart had hardened as well.” Thus he begins to loosen his grip on his naive side that always seems to tail his optimistic characteristics and learns that his true loyalties ought to lie with the friend(s), he can more easily rely on. Still, he hasn’t gained enough confidence to make a decision, which will firstly serve his interests.

Not to worry Stanley, my boy! We expect great things from you, no pressure of course ;)

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