Brett Character Analysis in Small Town Pride: From Mayor's Son to Jake's Ally

Overview

Brett Miller is the mayor's son in Barton Springs, Ohio, and one of the novel's most layered secondary characters. He enters the story as a distant observer—the boy staring at Jake's pride flag from the bus—and evolves into Jake's friend, a quiet ally to the pride festival effort, and a young person wrestling with his own identity as bi while under intense pressure from his mother. His arc is defined by the tension between his public role as the mayor's son and his private struggles with identity, anxiety, and academic performance.

Plot Role

Brett serves several functions in the plot. He is initially a source of suspicion for Jake and Jenna, who worry he might be gathering information for his mother. He becomes an early ally when he tells Jake he supports the flag, and later a co-conspirator in Operation Pride. His position as the mayor's son makes him both valuable—he can monitor his mother's movements—and vulnerable, since any misstep risks outing him or triggering punishment. He withdraws from the public presentation at the town meeting, but he returns to help secure the church venue and ultimately attends the festival.

Motivations and Traits

Brett's actions reveal several consistent motivations. He craves connection: he tells Jake he has no friends (chapter 7), and he repeatedly seeks out Jake's company despite the risk. He fears his mother: he says he can't tell her anything with sadness in his voice (chapter 5), and he hides his involvement in the festival from her. He wants to do the right thing: he supports the flag, helps plan the festival, and eventually confronts his mother about the pressure she places on him. And he protects himself: he isn't ready to be out, and he withdraws when his mother forbids him from seeing Jake.

His traits include loyalty—he returns to help after withdrawing—anxiety that manifests as test anxiety and emotional breakdowns, and a quiet courage that emerges gradually.

Chronological Arc

Brett's arc can be traced through several phases:

The observer (chapters 2–4). Brett stares at the flag from the bus and later intercepts Jake at his locker, asking to talk privately. Jake mentally reviews the situation: the flag, the mayor's disapproval, and now her son wanting to discuss it.

The tentative ally (chapters 5–7). In the utility room, Brett insists he supports the flag, revealing his mother has received angry calls and may involve the town council. At the pep rally, his mother embarrasses him about face paint and acne in front of classmates, and he retreats. Later, at the basketball game, he follows Jake outside, confides he has no friends, and tells Jake about a pastor who complained and his mother's promise that she'd never allow a pride parade.

The co-conspirator (chapters 10–12). Brett joins Operation Pride, takes on the job of keeping the mayor unaware, and reveals to Jake that he's bi. He says people assume he's straight and mentions his cousin's coming out.

The withdrawal (chapters 13–22). After his parents take his phone, Brett explains his mother's increased pressure since Susan Lee entered the mayoral race. He can't join the presentation, fearing it would out him. At the basketball game, his mother forbids him from hanging out with Jake, and he admits his feelings were growing but says he isn't ready.

The return (chapters 25–33). After a period of avoidance, Brett reconnects with Jake through small gestures—soft smiles after a bus incident. He apologizes, mentions starting therapy for anxiety, and agrees to help with the festival. He invites Jake to church, where Pastor Nicole offers support, and he holds Jake's hand on the ride home. He brings news that the congregation approved the event, and he attends the festival.

Relationships

With Jake. Brett's relationship with Jake moves from suspicion to friendship to a mutual, unspoken crush. Jake notices Brett's light blue eyes and blushes when Brett smiles at him. Brett admits his feelings were growing but says he isn't ready. By the end, they hold hands and agree they might want to kiss someday.

With Jenna. Brett and Jenna have a long-standing academic rivalry, rooted in a past poetry contest. Jenna is initially suspicious of Brett, warning Jake he might be setting him up. Over time, the rivalry softens into cooperation, and Brett eventually tells Jenna he's bi.

With Mayor Miller. This is the most fraught relationship. The mayor pressures Brett about his grades, his acne, and his social life. She embarrasses him publicly, forbids him from seeing Jake, and dismisses his academic struggles as excuses. Brett tells Jake his mother dismisses his struggles as excuses, and he whispers that he'd vote for Susan Lee if he could.

Key Decisions and Consequences

1. Approaching Jake about the flag (chapters 4–5). This decision leads to friendship and, eventually, to Brett's involvement in Operation Pride.

2. Joining Operation Pride (chapter 10). Brett takes on the job of keeping the mayor unaware, which creates ongoing tension and risk.

3. Withdrawing from the presentation (chapter 17). Brett can't join the town meeting presentation, fearing it would out him. Jake delivers his part instead.

4. Leaving the basketball game after his mother's call (chapter 22). This temporarily ends his friendship with Jake and leads to a period of avoidance.

5. Helping secure the church venue (chapters 30–31). Brett invites Jake to church, where Pastor Nicole proposes renting the church grounds. The congregation approves, making the festival possible.

6. Telling his mother about his anxiety (chapter 30). Brett says he will tell his mother how her pressure worsens his anxiety, and by chapter 33, they've talked through it and she's apologized.

Themes and Symbolism

Brett's arc connects to several of the novel's central themes. His bi identity and his fear of being outed speak to coming out and self-acceptance. His relationship with his mother—who controls his schedule, his appearance, and his friendships—illustrates political power and control. His eventual willingness to help despite the risk reflects grassroots activism and civic engagement. And his journey from isolation to connection embodies small-town community and belonging.

The contrast between Brett's family and Jake's is central to the novel's family support and allyship theme. Jake's parents support him openly, while Brett's mother pressures him to conform. Brett's line that his mother is not homophobic—said softly, like he isn't sure his words are true—captures the ambiguity of his position.

For more on how Brett's choices shape the story's outcome, see the ending explained page.

Study Questions

1. Why does Brett initially approach Jake about the flag?

Brett approaches Jake because he supports the flag and wants to warn him that his mother has received angry calls and may involve the town council. He also wants to tell someone who shares his experience, as he later reveals.

2. What causes Brett to withdraw from the pride festival team?

Brett withdraws after his mother learns he was with Jake at the basketball game and forbids him from hanging out with him. He admits his feelings for Jake were growing but says he isn't ready to be out.

3. How does Brett's relationship with his mother change by the end of the novel?

Brett tells his mother how her pressure worsens his anxiety, and they talk through it. She apologizes, and by the festival, she has paid the deposit for the church venue.

4. What does Brett reveal about his identity, and to whom?

Brett tells Jake he's bi in chapter 11, and later tells Jenna. He isn't ready to be publicly out, which is why he can't join the town meeting presentation.

5. How does Brett contribute to making the pride festival happen?

Brett invites Jake to church, where Pastor Nicole proposes renting the church grounds. Brett introduces the suggestion at the church meeting, and the congregation approves the event for June twelfth.

For additional discussion of Brett's role and other characters, see the questions and answers page or return to the book overview.