Leonard’s favorite teacher neither rolls up his shirtsleeves nor wears short-sleeved shirts, which Leonard calls “maybe the greatest mystery of my life” (6). Leonard fears asking Herr Silverman about his arms and imagines a multitude of things that they’ll reveal, like a history of parental abuse or a suicide attempt. Leonard even thinks that “the answer could save me” (9). Leonard’s obsession with this secret exposes the similarities between Herr Silverman and himself. 

These similarities become clear after Leonard’s suicide attempt. Herr Silverman shows Leonard the tattoos that his sleeves conceal: One is a Nazi symbol for gay prisoners in concentration camps, while the other is a quote that says, “First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win” (220). Herr Silverman’s tattoos reveal his powerful individuality and his commitment to maintain it no matter who tries to suppress him. He encourages Leonard to follow his example by cultivating the goodness within, even when the world rejects him.  

Quick intersperses Leonard’s narration with four “Letters from the Future.” Leonard writes these letters to himself after Herr Silverman encourages him to do so. The characters Leonard imagines are family members: Commander E is his supportive father-in-law; A is his spunky wife; and S is his devoted daughter.