Bobby Pins Symbol in Hell Followed With Us: Analysis & Study Guide
The Bobby Pin as a Symbol of Quiet Care in Hell Followed With Us
In Andrew Joseph White's Hell Followed With Us, the bobby pin is a deceptively small object that carries enormous emotional weight. It appears at key moments between Nick and Benji, functioning as a recurring symbol of care, intimacy, and the fragile thread of humanity that persists amid apocalyptic violence. Unlike the grand gestures of faith or the monstrous transformations that dominate the plot, the bobby pin is mundane, practical, and almost invisible—yet it becomes one of the novel's most resonant motifs. This analysis traces the literal object, its recurrences, its shifting meaning, and its connections to character and theme, concluding with study questions for deeper engagement.
The Literal Object and Its Context
A bobby pin is a small, U-shaped metal clip used to hold hair in place. In the world of the novel, where the Angels have weaponized faith and the Flood virus turns bodies into grotesque vessels, such a mundane item stands out as a relic of ordinary life. Nick, a member of the ALC (Acheson LGBTQ+ Center) and later a leader of the Watch, carries bobby pins in his pockets alongside other small objects like a beaded lizard. He gives them to Benji, a trans boy fleeing the Angels, as a practical gesture: Benji's hair keeps falling into his face, and Nick offers a simple solution.
The first instance occurs in Chapter 6, when Nick and Benji are waiting for the Vanguard at Wagner Commons. Nick notices Benji's hair and hands him a set of bobby pins, saying, “Your hair is getting in your face.” This is a quiet, almost offhand moment, but it establishes a pattern of attentiveness. Nick sees a need and responds with a small, tangible act of care. The bobby pin is not a weapon, not a tool of survival, but a gesture that affirms Benji's personhood in a world that constantly denies it.
Recurrences and Shifting Meaning
The bobby pin recurs at pivotal moments, each time accruing new significance. The following table summarizes the key appearances and their contexts:
| Chapter | Event | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | Nick gives Benji bobby pins for the first time | Introduction of care; a practical gift that signals Nick's observation and willingness to help |
| 10 | Nick gives another set before the church mission, saying “Don't lose these. I don't have that many.” | Deepening trust; the pins become a shared resource, a token of the bond forming between them |
| 13 | Benji tries to use the pins but fails; Nick fixes them, explaining the ridged side goes against the skin | Intimacy and instruction; Nick's hands on Benji's hair is a tender, almost forbidden touch in a world where physical contact is rare and often violent |
| 17 | Benji drops the pins when handing Nick a knife; they scatter on the floor | A moment of crisis; the pins are lost amid emotional turmoil, symbolizing the fragility of the connection |
| 23 | Nick uses his last bobby pins to clip Benji's hair during Benji's monstrous transformation | The pins become a lifeline; they help Benji regain focus and humanity, grounding him when he is on the verge of losing himself |
The meaning evolves from a simple gesture of kindness to a symbol of mutual recognition and, ultimately, a tool for preserving identity. In Chapter 13, when Nick fixes Benji's hair, the act is described with sensory detail: Nick pulls his sleeves over his palms, sweeps Benji's hair back, and slides the pins into place. This is not just about hair; it is about seeing Benji as he is—a boy who deserves to have his hair out of his face, who deserves to be comfortable in his own skin. The pins become a way of saying, “I see you, and I care about your comfort.”
By Chapter 23, the pins take on an almost desperate urgency. Benji has transformed into a monstrous creature, and Nick finds him in the aftermath of a battle. Nick uses his last two bobby pins to clip a stubborn clump of hair away from Benji's forehead. The text notes that it is “like trying to fix the Hoover Dam with duct tape,” but the gesture works: Benji's shoulders sag, his eyes focus, and he whispers Nick's name. The pins are no longer just about hair; they are a means of pulling Benji back from the brink of dehumanization. They represent the small, persistent acts of care that can anchor a person to their humanity.
Character and Theme Connections
The bobby pin motif is deeply tied to Nick and Benji's relationship, which evolves from wary strangers to something resembling found family. Nick, who is autistic and often struggles with verbal communication, uses objects as a way to connect. He gives Benji bobby pins, a beaded lizard, and later a handwritten apology note. These items are his love language—tangible, practical, and unassuming. The bobby pins, in particular, become a signature of his care. They are also a point of connection between the two characters: both are survivors of the Angels, both carry trauma, and both find in each other a quiet understanding that words cannot capture.
The motif also intersects with themes of identity and self-definition. For Benji, hair is a gendered marker. In New Nazareth, his mother forced flowers into his hair for his engagement blessing, trying to “wrestle girl back into my head.” The bobby pins allow Benji to manage his hair on his own terms, to present himself as he chooses. Nick's help is not about imposing a standard but about enabling Benji's autonomy. The pins become a tool for self-expression, a small rebellion against the Angels' rigid gender norms.
Furthermore, the pins symbolize the theme of found family and queer community. In a world where the Angels have weaponized faith and family, the ALC offers an alternative. Nick's care for Benji is part of this larger network of support—Erin, Aisha, Sadaf, and others all contribute to Benji's survival. The bobby pins are a microcosm of this community: small, unglamorous, but essential. They show that survival is not just about big battles but about the daily acts of kindness that sustain people.
The motif also speaks to transformation and body horror. As Benji's body changes, he loses control over his appearance and his very self. The bobby pins become a way to hold onto a fragment of normalcy. In Chapter 23, when Nick clips Benji's hair, it is a moment of reclamation—Benji is still there, still capable of recognizing Nick, still human enough to respond. The pins are a counterpoint to the monstrous transformation, a reminder that identity can persist even when the body does not.
Study Questions with Answers
1. How does the bobby pin function as a symbol of care in the novel, and how does its meaning change over time?
The bobby pin begins as a practical gift from Nick to Benji, addressing a simple need (keeping hair out of his face). Over time, it becomes a token of trust and intimacy, as Nick gives Benji multiple sets and even fixes them for him. By the climax, the pins serve as a lifeline, helping Benji regain focus during his transformation. The meaning shifts from a gesture of kindness to a symbol of mutual recognition and a tool for preserving identity.
2. What does Nick's use of bobby pins reveal about his character and his way of relating to others?
Nick is autistic and often struggles with verbal communication. He uses objects—bobby pins, a beaded lizard, a note—to express care. The bobby pins show that he is observant and attentive to Benji's needs, and that he expresses affection through practical actions rather than words. This aligns with his role as a protector and his growing bond with Benji.
3. How do the bobby pins connect to Benji's journey of self-definition and his rejection of the Angels' gender norms?
Benji's hair is a site of gendered control; his mother forced flowers into it to feminize him. The bobby pins allow Benji to manage his hair himself, asserting his identity as a boy. Nick's help is not about imposing a standard but about enabling Benji's autonomy. The pins thus become a tool for self-expression and a rejection of the Angels' rigid gender roles.
4. In what ways do the bobby pins illustrate the theme of found family and queer community?
The bobby pins are a small, unglamorous act of care that mirrors the larger support network of the ALC. Nick's gift is one of many gestures—Erin's clothes, Aisha's uniform, Sadaf's medical help—that sustain Benji. The pins show that survival is built on daily acts of kindness, not just grand battles. They symbolize the quiet, persistent love that defines the found family.
Conclusion
In Hell Followed With Us, the bobby pin is a masterful symbol of quiet care. It is a mundane object that becomes a vessel for intimacy, identity, and humanity. Through its recurrences, the motif traces the deepening bond between Nick and Benji, and it underscores the novel's central themes of survival, self-definition, and the power of small acts of love in a world that seeks to dehumanize. The bobby pin reminds us that even in the midst of horror, a simple gesture can be a lifeline.