The Seventh Most Important Thing

Mr. Hampton is based on the real-life James Hampton, who’s sculpture of heaven stands in the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Mr. Hampton represents what Arthur strives toward—being comfortable with himself. Mr. Hampton knows he’s been nicknamed the “junk man” and that people refer to him as a “crazy old drunk” (15). He is comfortable in his own skin and doesn’t allow the opinions of others to bother him. Later, Mr. Hampton serves as a role model and father figure for Arthur.

In Chapter 15, Groovy Jim describes Mr. Hampton as “way deeper than people realize” (68). Mr. Hampton fought in World War II and saw things that threatened to scar him. Only when he dreamed of building heaven out of broken things did he find his way back to the light. With this purpose, Mr. Hampton shed caring about others’ opinions to pursue heaven and perfection. Through the list of important things, Mr. Hampton imparts this wisdom to Arthur and gives Arthur the tools to fix his life. When Mr. Hampton dies, Arthur takes on the responsibility of heaven. By doing so, he finds the same purpose Mr. Hampton had, which allows Arthur to finish his character arc.

Squeak is the second important thing Arthur needs in his life—a friend. Squeak enters Arthur’s life after Arthur saves him from bullies. Arthur’s never been good at making friends, and Squeak isn’t the kind of kid Arthur ever considered having as a friend, with his glasses that practically say, “please beat me up” (103). It turns out that Squeak is both a good friend to have and the friend Arthur needs.

Squeak is a foil for Arthur. Where Arthur is impulsive, quick to judge, and moody, Squeak is thoughtful, open-minded, and optimistic. When Arthur first tells Squeak about the list of important things, Arthur expects Squeak to poke fun at the list and is surprised when Squeak gives the list serious consideration. Squeak remains calm and takes affective action when kids throw food at Arthur in the cafeteria. Not only does Squeak solve the problem, but Arthur realizes he’s misjudged Squeak. Squeak looks like a wimpy geek, but he’s braver and smarter than his appearance suggests. At the end of the book, Arthur is unenthused about the museum acquiring, but not displaying, Mr. Hampton’s sculpture. By contrast, Squeak is excited the art will have a home, even if that home is in a warehouse. Squeak’s friendship helps Arthur grow over the story, and Squeak’s outlook puts Arthur’s problems into perspective.

Though Arthur’s dad dies before the story starts, he plays a large role in Arthur’s growth. Judge Warner is convinced Arthur uses “his father’s death as an excuse for causing trouble” (17). By extension, Judge Warner believes Arthur is a troublemaker like his dad, an opinion that follows Arthur for the rest of the book. Arthur’s dad got in trouble with the law a few times and died while riding a motorcycle drunk. Judge Warner and others remember nothing else about Arthur’s dad, but Arthur knows there was more to the man than trouble. Arthur remembers building things with his dad and how his dad would so carefully arrange the lights on the Christmas tree. Arthur’s view of his dad contrasts with the views of other characters, which shows how people aren’t one-dimensional and furthers the theme “People Aren’t Always Who They Seem.” Arthur never gets in trouble with the law again and doesn’t have his dad’s knack for building things, proving he isn’t a miniature version of his dad.

Officer Billie is Arthur’s probation officer and a woman “who didn’t seem to have much patience for anything” (32). Officer Billie is the first character who doesn’t judge Arthur based on his one criminal act and who doesn’t assume Arthur is no-good because his father was a troublemaker. She is one of Arthur’s main sources of motivation throughout the story. When Arthur thinks about quitting on his first day of probation, he doesn’t want to let Officer Billie down and decides to stay.

Officer Billie surprises Arthur by giving him a Christmas present. By doing so, she helps Arthur realize people aren’t always who they seem, even if Arthur doesn’t fully learn this lesson by the end of the book.

Arthur’s mother begins the story still grief-stricken about the loss of her husband, Arthur’s dad. She used to take such care with her appearance, but since the death, she’s looked “like she’d been crying for a year” (18). Arthur’s mother fears Arthur will take on the worst aspects of his father, even though Arthur’s only made one mistake. She has a rocky relationship with Arthur for much of the book, which resolves when Arthur unintentionally blames her for throwing his dad’s things away, and Arthur clarifies his position. They never discuss it, but Arthur owes his growth to his mother. If she hadn’t thrown his dad’s motorcycle cap away, Mr. Hampton wouldn’t have collected it, and Arthur never would have developed his beneficial relationship with Mr. Hampton. Arthur’s mother is the catalyst for Arthur’s emotional growth.

Judge Warner oversees Arthur’s hearing. He’s a self-important man who likes “the sound of his own voice too much” (3). Judge Warner doesn’t want to give Arthur a fair trial. He’s the first character to judge Arthur based on the actions of Arthur’s dad, a trend that continues throughout the book. Arthur uses Judge Warner as motivation. When Arthur thinks about quitting on his first day of probation, the thought of proving Judge Warner wrong makes him decide to stick it out. 

Vice is Arthur’s vice principal and reminds Arthur “of a dry cornstalk” (57). Like Judge Warner, Vice is sure Arthur is a troublemaker because Arthur’s dad was a troublemaker. Vice separates Arthur from the rest of the seventh grade, which leads to Arthur meeting Squeak (the second important thing). Even though Arthur rescued Squeak from bullies, Vice refuses to believe Arthur’s story. Vice holds Arthur’s crime against him for the entirety of the book.

Groovy Jim owns the tattoo shop near Mr. Hampton’s garage. He’s a laidback guy, and Arthur initially thinks of him as “the kind of person who probably called everybody kiddo” (40). Groovy Jim offers Arthur insight into Mr. Hampton. After Arthur messes up his first week of probation, Groovy Jim explains that Mr. Hampton isn’t crazy and that he’s a wise man. Arthur doesn’t understand this until later, but Groovy Jim’s statement allows Arthur to keep an open mind. Groovy Jim also helps Arthur save the sculpture by pitching in money and reorganizing the pieces Tony moved. Groovy Jim operates as a guide and mouthpiece throughout the novel, as Mr. Hampton isn’t present for the first several chapters.

Roger is “balding and short” and not at all how Arthur initially pictured him (183). Arthur wanted to believe his mother went out with Roger because Roger tricked her, but when Arthur sees them together, he realizes his mother needs Roger. Roger is a carpenter and represents wood (the fourth important thing). He helps rebuild Arthur’s family, and gradually, Arthur grows to like him.

Barbara is Arthur’s younger sister. Though she’s “a curly-haired seven-year-old who played with Barbies” (27), Arthur appreciates how she keeps herself together after Arthur throws the brick. Barbara gets Arthur thinking about heaven. She’s the catalyst for the debate of whether heaven is a real or abstract place. When Barbara meets Mr. Hampton, she instantly likes him, which helps Arthur come to appreciate the old man.