In Chapter One, the author introduces several of the story's main concepts and characters. Holling Hoodhood is a smart young man, growing up in a seemingly small suburb. His life, much like that of any preteen, is filled with bullies, teachers, parents, and other basic happenings. Holling isn't concerned with the Vietnam war, or the knowledge that many of the people he knows, including his new teacher, have loved ones fighting in the war. Holling, throughout this chapter, shows he is very self absorbed, in that he worries only about his own "war" with Mrs. Baker, and with Doug Swieteck's brother. This foreshadows the advancement of Holling's character throughout the novel as he learns about the outside world. His treatment of Meryl Lee, along with the knowledge that she has a crush on him, foreshadows the development of their relationship throughout the novel.
The Wednesday Wars