Funny Story Chapter 9: A Night at the Beach
Spoiler Notice
This analysis contains full spoilers for Chapter 9 of Funny Story. Do not read if you have not completed the chapter.
Summary
Miles drives Daphne to a hidden beach on federal lakeshore land, explaining that locals call out-of-towners “fudgies.” They walk through moonlit woods to reach a strip of sand dotted with bonfires and tents. The two share fries and a milkshake; Daphne tries a jalapeño that burns her mouth, and Miles offers her his sweatshirt. Inside a pocket she finds a prerolled joint, and they smoke together. The weed loosens Daphne’s tongue. She admits that her life in Waning Bay was built around Peter and that she has been checking job postings in Maryland to be near her mother. Miles urges her to stay, proposing to spend Sundays showing her around town as a tour guide. Shortly after, Petra texts Miles that she is happy he and Daphne are together. Daphne takes photos of herself kissing Miles’s cheek, intending to make Petra jealous. The evening ends with Miles wrapping his arms around Daphne, kissing her temple, and telling her he likes having her as a roommate. Daphne reflects that he might be the kindest person she has ever met, and the two sit close, watching the lake.
Key Events
- Miles introduces the term “fudgie” and takes Daphne to a secluded beach.
- They eat fast food, share a milkshake, and smoke a joint.
- Daphne confesses that her daily life consisted of Peter’s routines and that she is searching for library jobs in Maryland.
- Miles offers to be her tour guide to persuade her to stay in Waning Bay.
- Petra messages Miles after hearing about his date with Daphne; she says she is “happy for them.”
- Daphne stages a photo of herself kissing Miles’s cheek to provoke Petra.
- The two grow physically close: Miles kisses her temple and holds her.
- Daphne tells Miles he is the nicest person she has met, and he counters that he is not being nice but simply enjoys her company.
Character Development
Daphne begins to question her identity. For the first time, she acknowledges that she adopted Peter’s habits, friends, and tastes without forming her own. Her decision to smoke weed—an act Peter would have disapproved of—marks a small rebellion and a step toward self-discovery. She also shows a protective, spiteful side when she engineers the photo for Petra, but her growing vulnerability with Miles suggests a desire for genuine connection.
Miles reveals depths beneath his easygoing exterior. He is still hurt by Petra’s betrayal, yet he channels his energy into kindness, offering to spend his free time introducing Daphne to his town. His refusal to let her move away “for Peter” indicates he values her presence more than he initially let on. His quiet admission that he “likes hanging out” with her hints at romantic feelings.
Petra and Peter (off-page) loom as antagonists. Petra’s text claiming to be happy for Miles and Daphne feels dismissive, while Peter’s lingering influence over Daphne’s routines highlights the emotional damage he caused.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Home and Belonging
Daphne realizes that Waning Bay was never her home—it was Peter’s. She feels rootless and considers leaving, but Miles argues that a place can become home through connection rather than ownership.
Spite as a Motivator
Daphne’s photo scheme is driven by a desire to make Petra feel guilty. The act is petty but also serves as a way for Daphne to reclaim agency after feeling powerless.
Self-Discovery
Trying weed, speaking freely, and admitting she does not know who she is without Peter all signal the beginning of a personal reinvention.
Generosity
Miles’s offers—the sweatshirt, the food, the tour-guide plan—are presented without expectation. His kindness contrasts sharply with Peter’s self-interest.
The Beach as Frontier
The hidden beach, reached through a dark forest, symbolizes the unknown future. By the chapter’s end, Daphne is willing to sit in uncertainty, held by someone who cares.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 9 marks the turning point in Miles and Daphne’s relationship. What began as a fake partnership moves toward genuine intimacy. Daphne’s admission that she lost her identity in her relationship with Peter sets up her arc of self-reclamation. Miles’s willingness to invest time and emotion in a “near-stranger” demonstrates his depth and contrasts with Peter’s cruelty. The chapter also establishes the Read-a-thon as a concrete goal that will keep Daphne in town, creating narrative stakes for the summer ahead.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Daphne take a photo kissing Miles’s cheek, and what does this reveal about her motivations?
Daphne wants to make Petra feel guilty for not appreciating Miles. The act reveals that, beneath her pain, Daphne is angry and protective. She uses the fake relationship as a weapon, but the photo also allows her to feel close to Miles in a way she has not felt with anyone since the breakup.
2. How does Miles attempt to persuade Daphne to stay in Waning Bay, and what does this suggest about his feelings for her?
He offers to be her tour guide, spending Sundays showing her the hidden charms of the town. This suggests that he genuinely enjoys her company and does not want to lose a potential friend—or something more. His determination to prove the town can feel like home indicates he is invested in her happiness.
3. What does Daphne’s realization that her life was “Peter’s life” reveal about her character growth in this chapter?
She acknowledges that she molded herself around Peter, adopting his schedule, hobbies, and friends without developing her own identity. This awareness is the first step toward reclaiming her independence. The chapter shows her beginning to experiment with small choices that are purely her own.