 | |
|---|---|
| Ben Starling | |
| Also known as | |
|
"Bloody Ben" | |
| Biographical Information | |
| Status |
dead Inside/ Alive Outside |
| Occupation |
Student |
| Physical Description | |
| Gender |
Male |
| Hair colour |
Blonde |
| Eye colour |
Brown (film); Green (book) |
| Family Information and Members | |
|
3 older siblings | |
| Behind the Scenes | |
| Portrayed by |
Austin Abrams |
| Appearances | |
Ben Starling is a supporting character in Paper Towns. Ben is one of Q's best friends, often tagging along with Q and Radar for whatever adventure the trio embark on. He is a goofy guy with a beat up car (affectionately named "RHAPAW" which stands for "Rode Hard And Put Away Wet"). Ben is often insulting to the ladies in the book when talking about love. He is the comic relief of the book, always cracking ridiculous jokes. He often calls freshman girls "freshbunnies" and other women "honeybunnies."
Background
He is one of Quentin's best friends. He plays clarinet in the school band and also helps Quentin find Margo Roth Spiegelman, and in the process, becomes Lacey's boyfriend.
Physical Apearance and Personality
Ben Starling is described by Q at the beginning of the book as "a small, olive-skinned creature who had hit puberty, but never hit it very hard". Ben has blonde hair and brown eyes, and is average height- not significantly taller or shorter than Q or Radar.
Ben provides comic relief throughout the book, often saying exactly what's on his mind. He uses the word "Honeybunny" to describe girls, and often uses to word "Bro". Q also says that Ben tries hard.
Ben is a loyal friend, always at least trying to come along for the ride, and is brutally honest, saying exactly when he thinks of someone or something. Ben is said to be slightly sexist, often saying things like "you should hit that" when talking about girls, not to mention calling them "Honeybunnies". He is Quentin's best friend because they are both on the same level to the social totem pole - the bottom.
Ben is shown irritated by the story of "Bloody Ben", which has haunted him since tenth grade when he was hospitalized due to a kidney infection, but Becca Arrington began spreading rumours that the real reason he had blood in his urine was due to chronic masturbation. As said, it haunts Ben.
Quotes
"I've had to pee for three hours."
"You better be calling me to say that there are eleven naked honeybunnies in your house, and that they're asking for the Special Feeling that only Big Daddy Ben can provide."
"I think at least one of the words should be buhbuhbuhbuh."
"I can feel the pee all the way up to my ribcage. I am honestly full of pee. Bro, right now, seventy percent of my bodyweight is pee."
"I feel like I might start crying, and that I'm going to cry pee."
"I'M NOT BEING MODEST. I JUST DIDN'T WANT TO DIE."
"I said it before and I'll say it again: I wasn't thinking about none of y'all. I. Wanted. To. Save. My. Ass."