Character Analysis
When Anita Miller gifts her little brother her entire record collection upon leaving home, there was no way she could have known the full extent to which this action would influence him. Anita opens young William's eyes to rock and roll. From then on, William's destiny is set.
As a teenager, Anita clashes with her mother. She's fed up with all the restrictions and limitations mandated by Elaine: in the Miller household, everything from bologna to rock and roll is banned. Anita has a boyfriend, Darryl, in whom she confides. "Darryl says that you use knowledge to keep me down," Anita tells her mother. "He says that I'm a 'Yes' person and you are trying to raise us in a 'No' environment."
Compounding Anita's frustrations with her mother is Elaine's expressed favoritism toward William. "Your Dad was so proud of you," Elaine tells her son. "He knew you were a predominantly accelerated child." "What about me?" asks Anita. Elaine sighs. "You are rebellious and ungrateful of my love." That's heavy for any kid to hear.
Unable to handle this "no" environment any longer, Anita decides to leave home, explaining her decision to do so with a song: "America" by Simon and Garfunkel. Music is Anita's main refuge amidst the angst and aggravations of being a teenager. So it's a big deal when she entrusts this special part of herself to William. "One day, you'll be cool," she tells her little brother, knowing with utmost certainty that it'll be the truth.