"Emergency Contact" Characters Analysis

List of Characters

Role Identification

Penny Lee is the main protagonist of the novel "Emergency Contact" by Mary H.K. Choi. She is a college freshman who dreams of becoming a writer. Sam Becker is the other protagonist, a 21-year-old aspiring filmmaker. The story revolves around their lives and the unexpected connection they form.

Character Descriptions

Penny Lee

Penny Lee is a young woman with almond-shaped eyes and a petite figure. She has long, dark hair that she often wears in a messy bun. She is known for her eclectic fashion sense, often seen wearing vintage clothes and quirky accessories. Penny is introverted and tends to overthink things, which sometimes leads to anxiety and self-doubt.

Sam Becker

Sam Becker is described as tall and lean, with tousled brown hair and a perpetual scruffy beard. He has a laid-back and aloof appearance, often seen wearing band t-shirts and jeans. Sam is a barista at a local coffee shop and lives in a small apartment above it. He is artistic and passionate about filmmaking, often seen carrying a camera.

Mallory Tompkins

Mallory is Penny's best friend and roommate. She has a vibrant personality and is known for her colorful hair and bold fashion choices. Mallory is confident and outgoing, the complete opposite of Penny. She is fiercely loyal and always has Penny's back.

Jude Kim

Jude is Sam's roommate and best friend. He is a talented artist and has a calm and collected demeanor. Jude is supportive and caring, and often acts as a grounding force for Sam. He is protective of his younger sister, Megan, and deeply values his family.

Tara Miller

Tara is Penny's roommate in the college dorm. She is athletic and outgoing, often seen wearing sports attire. Tara is friendly and easygoing, and quickly becomes friends with Penny. She provides a contrasting personality to Penny's introvert nature.

Megan Kim

Megan is Jude's younger sister, who is in high school. She is described as quirky and creative, with a love for fashion and makeup. Megan is mature for her age and has a close bond with her brother. She becomes an important part of Penny's life as their friendship grows.

Character Traits

Penny Lee

• Introverted
• Overthinker
• Creative
• Witty
• Insecure

Sam Becker

• Laid-back
• Artistic
• Passionate
• Mysterious
• Guarded

Mallory Tompkins

• Outgoing
• Loyal
• Confident
• Adventurous
• Supportive

Jude Kim

• Calm
• Artistic
• Protective
• Family-oriented
• Thoughtful

Tara Miller

• Athletic
• Friendly
• Easygoing
• Sociable
• Fun-loving

Megan Kim

• Quirky
• Creative
• Mature
• Fashionable
• Sisterly

Character Background

Penny Lee

Penny Lee comes from a small town called Austin, Texas. She grew up with her single mother and has a strained relationship with her mother's boyfriend. Penny has always been passionate about writing and dreams of attending a prestigious writing program. She feels overwhelmed by the transition to college but is determined to pursue her dreams.

Sam Becker

Sam Becker is originally from Los Angeles but left home due to a difficult family situation. He moved to Austin and started working as a barista to support himself. Sam is estranged from his family and struggles with feelings of abandonment and self-worth. He is haunted by past mistakes and finds solace in his passion for filmmaking.

Mallory Tompkins

Mallory Tompkins hails from a wealthy family and has always been outgoing and confident. Despite her seemingly perfect life, she struggles with her own insecurities and doubts. Mallory is fiercely protective of Penny and goes above and beyond to support her.

Jude Kim

Jude Kim is an art student and comes from a Korean-American background. He is close to his sister, Megan, and deeply values his family. Jude has a calm and composed demeanor, but he also carries the weight of his own struggles and responsibilities.

Tara Miller

Tara Miller is a talented athlete and comes from a small town in Texas. She is studying kinesiology and hopes to become a physical therapist. Tara is friendly and outgoing, always eager to make new friends and have fun.

Megan Kim

Megan Kim is a high school student and Jude's younger sister. She is creative and quirky, with a love for fashion and makeup. Despite her youth, Megan is mature for her age and provides a fresh perspective to the lives of the other characters.

Character Arcs

Penny Lee

Penny's character arc revolves around her journey of self-discovery and finding her voice. Throughout the story, she learns to overcome her insecurities and embrace her creativity. Penny's relationship with Sam becomes a catalyst for her personal growth, and she gains confidence in her writing abilities.

Sam Becker

Sam's character arc focuses on his emotional healing and learning to confront his past. As he forms a deep connection with Penny, he begins to let go of his guarded nature and opens up about his struggles. Sam embarks on a journey of self-acceptance and forgiveness, allowing himself to pursue his dreams.

Mallory Tompkins

Mallory's character arc centers around her own self-discovery and learning to confront her insecurities. Through her unwavering support for Penny, Mallory discovers her own strength and realizes that she deserves happiness and love.

Jude Kim

Jude's character arc revolves around his personal growth and learning to prioritize his own happiness. He confronts his own fears and insecurities and realizes the importance of self-care and pursuing his own dreams.

Tara Miller

While Tara's character arc is not as prominent as the others, she provides a sense of stability and support for Penny. She learns to balance her own aspirations with being a good friend and finds joy in nurturing her relationships.

Megan Kim

Megan's character arc focuses on her growth and finding her own identity. She learns to embrace her unique style and talents and becomes a source of inspiration and support for the other characters.

Relationships

• Penny and Sam: Penny and Sam develop a deep and meaningful connection through their late-night text conversations. They become each other's emotional support and confidants, forming a strong bond that ultimately leads to a romantic relationship.
• Penny and Mallory: Penny and Mallory share a close friendship that is built on trust and loyalty. Mallory is always there for Penny, providing support and encouragement in both her personal and creative endeavors.
• Sam and Jude: Sam and Jude have a strong friendship and roommate bond. Jude acts as a grounding force for Sam, offering guidance and support throughout the story.
• Penny and Tara: Penny and Tara become fast friends and provide a sense of companionship for each other. They navigate the challenges of college life together and offer support in their respective journeys.
• Jude and Megan: Jude and Megan share a close sibling bond. Megan looks up to her brother and often seeks his guidance and support. Jude is fiercely protective of Megan and plays a significant role in her life.

Overall, "Emergency Contact" portrays a diverse cast of characters who go through personal growth and navigate the complexities of relationships. The story highlights the importance of connection, friendship, and finding oneself in the midst of life's challenges.