Blackout Poetry as a Symbol of Hidden Identity and Emerging Voice
What Is Blackout Poetry in the Novel?
Blackout poetry is a form where existing text is obscured with marker or ink, leaving only selected words to create a new poem. In And They Were Roommates, Charlie von Hevringprinz first encounters it through a classroom assignment (Chapter 21), where he learns that Benjamin Franklin’s neighbor supposedly invented the technique. The method becomes a recurring motif throughout the story, eventually shaping how Charlie communicates—first hiding behind borrowed words, then finally expressing his true self.
Where Blackout Poetry Appears
The symbol recurs at several key moments:
| Chapter | Context | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| 21 | Charlie’s teacher introduces blackout poetry as a historical project | Establishes the form as a legitimate literary technique; Charlie uses it as a framework for love letters |
| 22 | Charlie works on his blackout poetry assignment alone in the gazebo, then shows it to Jasper | Jasper praises it as “compelling” and calls Charlie “special” for crafting it; first moment Jasper sees Charlie’s authentic creative voice |
| 28 | Charlie finishes his fiftieth blackout poetry love letter for STRIP | The scale of the undertaking shows his growing competence and the mechanical side of the form |
| 35 | Charlie wakes up with his face in a book of blackout poetry, still exhausted | Physical evidence of the toll the letters have taken on him; the book represents unfinished work and hidden labour |
The form also appears indirectly in the love letters Jasper helps Charlie write: Charlie rips pages from books and blacks out most of the text to create personalized messages for STRIP patrons. By Chapter 43, Charlie abandons the blackout method entirely to write an original love letter from his own heart.
How the Meaning Changes
Initially, blackout poetry serves as a tool for concealment. Charlie uses it to mask his lack of romantic experience and his true identity. The form allows him to borrow other people’s words (from novels and classics) while hiding his own voice. Here, it mirrors his physical situation—hiding his trans identity from most of Valentine Academy.
Midway through the story, blackout poetry becomes a bridge between Charlie and Jasper. In Chapter 22, when Jasper sees Charlie’s blackout poem, he recognizes its difficulty and praises Charlie’s skill. The act of sharing the poem opens a space of trust. Jasper’s line—“Inside any story over there, you’ll find words that relate to our patrons’ qualms”—suggests that Charlie’s method can speak for others as well as himself.
By the end of the novel, blackout poetry transforms into a stepping stone toward original expression. Charlie cannot write love letters that feel authentic until he stops blacking out others’ words and writes his own. In Chapter 43, he recites an original love poem at the gazebo, abandoning the mask of blackout poetry. The act of creating something uniquely his mirrors his decision to come out as transgender to Principal Stern and later to his mother. The symbol completes a journey from hiding, through mediated expression, to authentic voice.
Character Connections
Charlie von Hevringprinz – Blackout poetry is his medium for most of the novel. He chooses it because it feels safer than creating from scratch; he can hide behind the original author’s text. His proficiency with the form earns him Jasper’s respect, but he still struggles to infuse the poems with genuine emotion. Only when he stops using blackout poetry does he find his true voice.
Jasper Grimes – Jasper initially dismisses Charlie’s straightforward love letters in Chapter 21, but he praises Charlie’s blackout poetry in Chapter 22, calling it “one of the most difficult to craft.” Jasper himself writes more conventional poetry (as seen in Love Is a Broken Party Clown), which is described as “basic” and “straightforward.” His admiration for Charlie’s blackout work shows that he values complexity and novelty—even as he struggles with vulnerability in his own writing.
Delilah and Blaze – Though not directly connected to blackout poetry, their roles as supporters of Charlie’s STRIP work underline the communal effort behind the love-letter project. Blaze helps with templates, and Delilah provides cover during the Halloween mixer. The blackout method, while individual, ultimately serves the group’s goal.
Theme Connections
The symbol links directly to several major themes:
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Identity Concealment and Coming Out: Blackout poetry allows Charlie to express romantic sentiment without exposing his own identity. Like his trans identity, the words are hidden in plain sight—only certain parts are visible. The progression toward writing his own poem parallels his journey toward being openly himself.
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Second Chances and Forgiveness: Charlie’s blackout poetry gives Jasper a second chance to see him as more than the camp kisser he forgot. Jasper’s praise (“You’re special, I hope you know”) offers Charlie a new beginning. The form itself is a second chance for words: text that was once complete is repurposed.
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Trust Versus Secrecy: Sharing the blackout assignment requires trust—Charlie lets Jasper see his unfinished, vulnerable work. Throughout the story, the blackout method protects Charlie’s secrets while also building the trust needed to eventually disclose them.
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Love Letters as Communication: Blackout poetry becomes Charlie’s primary method for writing love letters that feel authentic to Jasper. The technique forces Charlie to engage with existing language, teaching him the building blocks of romantic expression before he can produce his own.
Study Questions with Answers
1. Why does Charlie initially prefer blackout poetry to writing original love letters?
Charlie believes he cannot write authentic love letters because he does not believe in romance. Blackout poetry lets him borrow other people’s words (from novels and classics), so he can produce something that looks like poetry without having to invent from his own feelings. This method also protects his secret identity—he hides behind the original author’s text just as he hides his trans status.
2. How does Jasper’s reaction to Charlie’s blackout poetry change their relationship?
In Chapter 22, after Charlie shows Jasper his blackout assignment, Jasper calls it “compelling” and tells Charlie he is “special.” This is the first time Jasper praises Charlie’s creative work directly. The moment creates a bridge of trust: Jasper stops acting as just a teacher and sees Charlie as a peer. Later, Jasper uses Charlie’s blackout method as a model for writing love letters for STRIP, validating Charlie’s approach.
3. What does Charlie’s shift from blackout poetry to an original poem symbolize?
Charlie’s decision to write an original love poem in Chapter 43, instead of blacking out existing text, symbolizes his growing confidence and willingness to be vulnerable. It mirrors his decision to tell Principal Stern the truth about being transgender and to trust Jasper with his full identity. The shift from borrowed words to his own words marks the completion of his journey toward authentic self-expression.
4. How does the form of blackout poetry itself reflect the theme of concealment versus revelation?
Blackout poetry works by obscuring most of a page; only selected words remain visible. This duality mirrors Charlie’s life at Valentine Academy: most of his identity (his trans status, his fears, his attraction to Jasper) is hidden, while only carefully chosen parts are shown. Just as blackout poetry requires the reader to fill gaps, Charlie’s roommates and friends must learn to see what he does not say. When Charlie finally reveals himself, he no longer needs the mask of blackout—he can let the full text of his own story be seen.