In Shirley Jackson's Charles, Laurie changes noticeably after he starts kindergarten. He comes home every day with stories about a classmate named "Charles" who is always in trouble—hitting the teacher, shouting, and making other children say bad words. Laurie's mother observes that her once-sweet child has become "a swaggering character who forgot to stop at the corner and wave good-bye to me" (Jackson 73). She also notices him being rude to his father and acting tough at home, which hints that "Charles" may actually be Laurie's way of talking about himself.
At the end of the story, Laurie's teacher reveals that there is no child named "Charles" in the class, showing that Laurie was inventing the stories. Through "Charles," Laurie expresses his struggles with new rules and authority at school. Laurie's tales about "Charles" reveal his own misbehavior and adjustment to school, helping his parents and readers see the challenges he faces.