Charlie Character Analysis in American Born Chinese

Jin’s older cousin. Years ago, Charlie shared that the only way to get around their Chinese parents’ unwillingness to buy their sons deodorant is to use powdered soap from a public restroom on their armpits. Jin takes this advice while on his movie date with Amelia and is embarrassed when soap bubbles start to come through his shirt.

Charlie Character Timeline in American Born Chinese

The timeline below shows where the character Charlie appears in American Born Chinese. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Jin tells the reader that he has a cousin named Charlie. Charlie is a few years older and once warned Jin to not bother dating until... (full context)

...excuses himself. His parents have never heard of deodorant and never bought him any, but Charlie once mentioned that he could use powdered soap from a public restroom. Jin scrubs powder... (full context)