Character Analysis By Kezia Thiessen Ernie Hupfer is a minor character that isn’t well known, yet his contribution to the story is critical. In the book, Orbiting Jupiter, by Gary D. Schmidt, Ernie has a very small role, and says few things. The book is about Jack, Jack’s foster Joseph, and Joseph’s daughter Jupiter. Ernie is Jack’s friend, and his contribution in this position should not be ignored. Because he is the in-story voice of the reader’s concerns, as well as consistently providing a lesson, and he seems to have presaged what would come. Ernie’s purpose of displaying concerns the reader may have is displayed through his actions. Because he is concerned that being around Joseph will have bad consequences to Jack, Ernie warns Jack to stay away from Joseph. Additionally, Ernie warns Jack to not go into the locker room (page 92), possibly because Jack will make rash decisions based on emotion, instead of deciding rationally what should be done. His decisions and actions are motivated by concern for Jack, and the author addresses these concerns, in case the reader may have them. …show more content…
A notable example of this is when the bus is skidding around in the snow. He is concerned for Jack’s safety. Jack went into the river already, though it is dangerous, and Ernie is hoping Jack doesn’t end up in the river again. This instance is hinting towards when Joseph is driven into the river, which is an event that had a large impact on Jack’s life, and consequently on Ernie. Because he won’t be as obvious to the reader, his actions are able to foretell what happens in the future in ways Jack’s actions can’t. Therefore, Ernie, though his role is small, is one of the salient characters in the story, particularly because the author uses him to hint at things to