In Shirley Jackson's "Charles," Laurie’s character undergoes a noticeable shift when he starts kindergarten. He abandons his "corduroy overalls with bibs" for "blue jeans with a belt," symbolizing his move away from childhood innocence towards independence (Jackson 73). His behavior at home also hints at his desire to separate from his mother, especially when he no longer waves goodbye.
Laurie’s stories about a misbehaving classmate, Charles, are later revealed to be a projection of his own actions, suggesting that Laurie is testing boundaries while avoiding responsibility. Through Laurie, Jackson explores the complexities of childhood and identity formation (Jackson 77).