Ever got into a relationship at a time you were too immature to handle it? In Jerry Spinelli’s book Stargirl, Leo Borlock, one of the main characters, is friendly, respectful, and generally a good person who becomes involved with Stargirl, a unique, outgoing, and exotic new student. Leo at the time was not of age to be in a relationship. Although he enjoyed spending time with Stargirl, there were multiple problems throughout their relationship, which later on caused the end of Leo and Stargirl’s relationship to occur. Although it may appear to some that Leo was mature enough to continue his relationship with Stargirl, he tried changing her appearances to fit in, insulted her, and cared more about his reputation than he did her. The first reason …show more content…
‘Say it.’ she said. “Because nobody likes you.” I said. That’s why I’m a naysayer. Nobody likes you” (Spinelli 138). Although some may say that Leo expressing to Stargirl both his positive and negative thoughts is a good thing, sharing such negative opinions with Stargirl showed Leo’s straight up childishness. Leo’s rudeness and vulgarity proves he is not ready for a relationship with Stargirl. The second reason why Leo was not mature enough to handle the relationship is because Leo believes that he cares about Stargirls affection, but he only cares about his peers' affection. This was a poor decision on Leo’s behalf. It is evident when, “Whose affection do you value more, hers or others? The Senator says everything will follow from that.’ I wasn’t sure I understood Archie half the time, but I said nothing, and I went home. In bed that night, as the moonlight reached high tide under my chin, I realized that, in fact, I understood the question perfectly. I just didn’t want to answer it” (Spinelli 104-105). While some believe that he cares about Stargirl because he hung out with her. he really doesn’t because he doesn't truly care how Stargirl feels and, because of that, he is not mature …show more content…
The last reason why, is that Leo made comments on Stargirl’s appearance as if she was an object. This is indicated when, “I had to admit, the more I saw of her, the easier it was to believe she was a plant, a joke, anything but real” (Spinelli 8). Although in parts of the book, Leo is nice about Stargirl. He is always talking about how she dresses a lot differently than everyone else and is always questioning her. Leo’s inconsiderateness shows he is not ready for a relationship with Stargirl. Leo Borlock, a main character in Spinelli’s Stargirl, was a friendly and enjoyable presence, but he was not mature enough for a relationship with someone like Stargirl because he tried changing her appearances to fit in, insulted her, and cared more about his reputation than he did her. He may have been interested in Stargirl and cared for her, but he was too childish to engage in a romantic relationship. Leo did not appreciate Stargirls unique personality enough. Rather, he appreciated only the fact that he had a girlfriend, and not who the girlfriend was or how she