Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of bullying, racism, gender discrimination, cursing, child death, death by suicide, substance use, graphic violence, illness, and death.

The novel pairs obsession with antisocial behavior and explores their toxic effects. The characters experience fixations that make them hostile and unfriendly. The theme primarily manifests through Arnie and LeBay’s spirit, which Christine carries on. LeBay’s attitude pits himself against the world. Anyone who stands in his way, whether by challenging him or simply holding another viewpoint, becomes a “shitter.” LeBay has no friends and, according to George, directly or indirectly killed his wife and daughter. LeBay devotes himself to Christine, and the car inherits his inimical spirit. When he sells the car to Arnie, he infects Arnie with infatuation and anger. Arnie’s obsession with the car leads him to fight with his parents and his best friend, and leads the car to nearly kill Leigh. Arnie isn’t inherently fanatical or misanthropic but can’t separate himself from Christine and LeBay, admitting to his best friend, “Dennis, I can’t help it” (991). However, Arnie doesn’t entirely lack agency. His “love at first sight” (141) urgency to buy and repair the car creates the basis for the all-consuming conflict that eventually kills him, his family, and several other characters.