1. His Complex Emotions: James grapples with a range of emotions, including guilt, anger, and resentment, towards his brother, Franklin, who has autism. These conflicting feelings mirror the broader societal conflicts in understanding autism and providing proper care.
2. Struggle with Identity: James's personal identity and aspirations often get overshadowed by the needs and challenges of his brother. This internal conflict reflects the societal debate on individual rights versus the ethical imperative of caring for others.
3. Family Dynamics: The author presents James as torn between his loyalty to his family and his desire for a more independent life. This conflict highlights the complexities of family relationships and the challenges of caring for a disabled sibling.
4. Social Expectations: James's interactions with friends, teachers, and classmates expose the social expectations and misconceptions surrounding autism. The author uses James's experiences to emphasize the conflict between societal norms and individual realities.
5. Education and Opportunity: James faces the dilemma of whether to pursue his own educational and professional goals or to stay close to home to help care for his brother. This conflict mirrors the broader societal debates on the trade-offs between individual dreams and societal responsibilities.
6. Navigating Support Systems: James encounters challenges in accessing and navigating various support systems, both for his brother's well-being and his own emotional needs. The author emphasizes the difficulties individuals face in obtaining adequate support and resources.
7. Evolving Understandings: Throughout the novel, James's understanding of his brother and autism evolves. This mirrors the broader social evolution in comprehending and addressing the complexities of the autism spectrum.
By emphasizing these conflicts through James's experiences, the author explores the complexities of living with a sibling on the autism spectrum and reflects on the broader social, ethical, and emotional issues entwined with the topic of caring for individuals with disabilities.