Richard cast Billy as Ariel in The Tempest when he was at Favorite River Academy. Billy, having grown up around playhouses and performances, originally enjoyed his role as Ariel in the iconic play. However, Kittredge was cast Ferdinand, the male lead, and Elaine, the female lead. Kittredge constantly tormented Billy and Elaine, giving them both nicknames based off their roles. Billy already felt insecure enough about himself, without needing Kittredge to augment the situation. At one point, Richard tells both Billy and Kittredge that Ariel's gender is mutable, and Billy should play the part accordingly. This causes Billy to reflect on himdelf, and his wish to be attractive to both men and women.
Billy was slightly hurt by Richard's proclamation over Ariel's gender, especially because it humiliated him in front of such an influential classmate. However, it helped the reader understand how Billy viewed himself. Billy, later in life, wanted to be androgynous. The reader was able to understand how Billy's opinion on having a mutable gender changed and evolved as he was able to accept and appreciate his sexuality.
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