Look Closer

Content Warning: This section briefly mentions racism, sexual assault, addiction, abuse, suicide, and violence.

Simon is the protagonist of the novel, though he is a morally complex character and could be considered more of an antihero than a hero. Simon has many positive traits. He loves his mother, Glory, and Vicky. He is a good friend to his colleague Anshu and a patient teacher who believes in leading his students to knowledge through curiosity rather than fear. He leads the group Survivors of Suicide and offers advice and support to other people who are dealing with a loved one’s traumatic death. When Vicky was struggling with depression and addiction after her sister’s death, he paid for her to go to rehab and supported her. Simon has a deep love for his work as a law professor and believes in the power of the legal system to protect the innocent. He says, “[W]hat I love about the law is its purity, its honesty, its search for justice and fairness” (199). He devotes his legal career to studying government surveillance of technology and advocating for the constitutional rights of citizens.

Simon is also capable of using his intelligence for more nefarious ends.