Josh Corrigan: A Character Analysis from It Starts with Us
Overview
Josh Corrigan is the fourteen-year-old half-brother of Atlas Corrigan, introduced in Colleen Hoover’s It Starts with Us. He enters the story as a troubled kid who vandalizes Atlas’s restaurants out of anger and neglect. Over the course of the novel, Josh evolves from a destructive runaway into a hopeful member of a new family unit, choosing his brother over a distant father. His arc underscores the novel’s exploration of family secrets and reconciliation, chosen family, and healing from domestic abuse.
Plot Role
Josh’s actions set key plot events in motion. He spray-paints graffiti and steals croutons from Bib’s and later from Corrigan’s, which leads Atlas to discover his existence. Atlas’s decision not to press charges opens the door for a relationship. Josh’s presence forces Atlas to confront his own painful childhood with their mother Sutton and stepfather Tim. Josh also becomes a catalyst for Atlas’s deeper commitment to building a stable home, directly influencing Atlas’s proposal to Lily and their wedding. Without Josh, the story would lack the urgency that compels Atlas to embrace fatherhood and brotherhood.
Motivations and Traits Shown Through Actions
Josh is driven by a need for attention and belonging. His vandalism is a cry for help: as Atlas reflects, “he’s hoping to be caught” (Chapter Fifteen). Josh’s anger stems from abandonment—his father Tim left when he was young, and his mother Sutton is neglectful. He runs away and lives rough rather than return to her. Despite his tough exterior, Josh shows loyalty and humor. He deflects emotional pain with jokes, like when he suggests drawing a “baby seedling” family tree. He also demonstrates protectiveness: he stands up for the school math team and bullies bullies, as described by Theo. Josh’s honesty and directness emerge when he admits his crimes to Atlas, and his vulnerability appears when he cries after Atlas’s emotional speech about privilege.
Chronological Arc
- Arrival as an antagonist: Josh appears in security footage vandalizing Corrigan’s. Atlas catches him in the act at Bib’s (Chapter Fifteen). Instead of punishing him, Atlas offers food and understanding.
- Reluctant return to Sutton: Atlas returns Josh to their mother at a motel but gives him a credit card and prepaid phone, signaling commitment (Chapter Seventeen).
- Living with Atlas: Sutton eventually agrees to let Josh stay with Atlas after a confrontation (Chapter Twenty-Nine). Josh enrolls in school, makes friends with Theo, and begins to settle.
- Road trip to find Tim: Atlas drives Josh to Vermont to meet their father. Josh initially hopes for a reunion but witnesses Tim’s indifference. After deliberation, Josh decides to stay with Atlas, flipping off Tim as they drive away (Chapter Thirty-One).
- Building a new family: Josh completes his family tree assignment with a seedling labeled “Josh” and “Atlas.” He attends Atlas and Lily’s wedding, becoming part of their chosen family (Chapter Thirty-Seven).
Relationships
With Atlas
The core relationship. Atlas recognizes a younger version of himself in Josh. He offers patience, honesty, and unconditional support. Atlas gives Josh a credit card despite being robbed, and later tells Josh he would have “knocked over buildings” to find him. Josh initially tests Atlas but gradually trusts him, culminating in his decision to live with him. Their bond is cemented when Josh chooses the seedling family tree over Tim.
With Sutton (their mother)
Josh has a strained, antagonistic relationship with Sutton. He calls her by her first name and ran away after their fight. Sutton is neglectful and manipulative, but Atlas later negotiates a weekly dinner arrangement, hinting at possible reconciliation. Josh remains wary.
With Tim (their father)
Josh built a fantasy around Tim, but the real Tim is a broken man who abandoned him. The road trip shatters Josh’s illusions; he concludes “He doesn’t deserve me.” This rejection allows Josh to fully commit to Atlas.
With Lily and Emerson
Lily treats Josh with warmth, making breakfast and learning his career dreams. Josh becomes a quasi-big brother to Emerson. Lily’s acceptance reinforces the theme of second chances and chosen family.
With Theo
Theo becomes Josh’s first friend at school. Theo reports that Josh is “the better kind of mean”—a bully to bullies who protects vulnerable kids. This friendship normalizes Josh’s life.
Key Decisions and Consequences
| Decision | Consequence |
|---|---|
| Vandalizing Atlas’s restaurants | Led to being caught by Atlas and the beginning of their relationship. |
| Accepting Atlas’s offer of food and shelter | Allowed Josh to escape his mother and gain a stable home. |
| Using the credit card Atlas gave him | Enabled him to survive while temporarily back with Sutton. |
| Going on the road trip to find Tim | Forced Josh to confront his father’s rejection and choose Atlas. |
| Refusing to go with Sutton when she demanded he return | Triggered Sutton’s confrontation but ultimately led to Josh living with Atlas. |
| Drawing the seedling family tree | Symbolized his commitment to a new, small family with Atlas alone. |
Themes and Symbols
Josh’s arc directly embodies chosen family . Abandoned by biological parents, he chooses a brother who proves more devoted. The family tree seedling is a powerful symbol: a tiny plant with only two branches, representing the new start Josh and Atlas build together. Josh’s initial theft of croutons (small, insignificant items) mirrors Atlas’s own past hunger and survival instincts, connecting to healing from domestic abuse . His decision to stop hoping for Tim reflects the theme of family secrets and reconciliation. Josh also illustrates co-parenting and boundaries as Atlas learns to set limits while offering love. The seedling is referenced in the ending explained as a hopeful image.
Questions and Answers
1. Why did Josh vandalize Atlas’s restaurants? Josh vandalized the restaurants to get attention. He had run away from his mother Sutton and discovered Atlas online. Acting out was a cry for help, hoping to be noticed by the brother he knew existed.
2. What changed Josh’s mind about living with his father Tim? Seeing Tim’s indifference and remembering Atlas’s brutal honesty made Josh realize his father didn’t deserve him. He told Atlas, “He doesn’t deserve me,” and chose to drive away, flipping Tim off.
3. How does Josh’s family tree assignment reflect his growth? He drew a seedling with only two branches labeled “Josh” and “Atlas,” rejecting the traditional many-branched tree. This symbolizes his decision to start a new family based on loyalty and love, rather than blood.
4. Does Josh ever reconcile with his mother Sutton? Not fully in the novel. Josh stays with Atlas even after Sutton tries to reclaim him. Atlas arranges weekly dinners with Sutton, but Josh remains distant. Reconciliation is left ambiguous.
5. What role does Josh play in Atlas and Lily’s relationship? Josh helps Atlas commit to fatherhood and a life with Lily and her daughter Emerson. Atlas’s protective love for Josh mirrors his love for Lily. Josh’s presence accelerates Atlas’s desire for a stable home, leading to his proposal.
For more details on the novel’s themes and plot, see the main book page and the questions and answers section.