Yes, Aza Holmes and Davis Pickett share a kiss in John Green's acclaimed novel, Turtles All the Way Down.
The Moment of Connection Between Aza and Davis
In a significant moment within the narrative, the two main characters, Aza Holmes and Davis Pickett, engage in a kiss. This occurs after a conversation where they discuss Davis's poetry, deepening their connection and leading to the physical expression of their growing bond. The kiss is a pivotal event, marking an important step in their complex relationship.
Aza's Internal Struggle During the Kiss
While the kiss itself is a conventional moment of intimacy, for Aza, it immediately triggers a profound internal struggle rooted in her ongoing battle with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and intrusive thoughts. As Aza kisses him, her mind is consumed not by the romance of the moment, but by overwhelming thoughts about bacteria shared by kissing. This immediate internal crisis highlights the pervasive nature of her anxiety and her constant awareness of the microscopic world.
Her reaction to these intrusive thoughts is immediate and compelling:
- She is compelled to go to the bathroom.
- She washes out her mouth in an attempt to alleviate her distress.
- She then proceeds to research bacteria, driven by an intense need for information and control over her fears.
- Through her research, she learns that bacteria passed while kissing can permanently alter your microbiome, a fact that further fuels her anxieties about contamination and the loss of her personal boundaries.
The Kiss as a Thematic Anchor
This particular scene is far more than a simple romantic gesture; it serves as a powerful thematic anchor in Turtles All the Way Down. It vividly illustrates Aza's internal world, where even moments of human connection are filtered through the lens of her condition. The kiss becomes a microcosm of her larger struggle with the "spiral" of her thoughts, demonstrating how her mental health challenges impact her ability to experience life's ordinary moments. It underscores the novel's exploration of mental illness, identity, and the constant battle to find stability amidst intrusive thoughts.
For further insights into the novel's themes and characters, you can explore resources like the official publisher's page for Turtles All the Way Down.
Key Details of the Kiss
Here's a summary of the event:
| Character Involved | Event | Aza's Immediate Internal Reaction | Subsequent Actions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aza Holmes & Davis Pickett | Aza kisses Davis | Consumed by thoughts of shared bacteria | Washes mouth, researches bacteria, learns about permanent microbiome alteration |
