In "Charles" by Shirley Jackson, the theme of behavior is explored through the actions and interactions of young Laurie, who creates an imaginary classmate named Charles. Laurie's stories about Charles's misbehavior at school serve as a mirror to his own actions, highlighting the challenges of adjusting to a new environment and the lack of parental awareness. The story delves into how children test boundaries and seek attention, and how parents often overlook the signs of their child's behavior.

Laurie's transition from nursery school to kindergarten marks a significant change in his behavior. He goes from being a "sweet-voiced nursery-school tot" to a "long-trousered swaggering character." This change suggests that Laurie is testing his boundaries in an unfamiliar setting. Kindergarten presents new challenges and expectations, and Laurie's misbehavior can be seen as a coping mechanism to maintain control in this new environment. His actions, such as being rude to adults and reveling in the exploits of his alter ego Charles, reflect his struggle to adapt.

The creation of Charles allows Laurie to deflect attention from his own misbehavior. By attributing his actions to Charles, Laurie avoids punishment and explores boundaries without consequence. This behavior is typical of a clever child testing limits and seeking attention. Laurie's parents, however, fail to recognize the similarities between their son's behavior and the stories of Charles. They accept Laurie's explanations without question, highlighting their lack of awareness and involvement in their child's upbringing.

Laurie's parents face the challenge of addressing their son's behavior. They dismiss the stories of Charles as the actions of "someone else's child," failing to see the teachable moments with Laurie. Their inability to communicate effectively with their son leads to a lack of discipline and guidance. The mother's concern is overshadowed by the father's superficial interest, resulting in a missed opportunity to address Laurie's behavior. This lack of parental involvement and awareness is a central theme in the story, emphasizing the need for parents to be more questioning and observant of their children's actions.

Do you think kindergarten is too unsettling for Laurie? All this toughness and bad grammar, and this Charles boy sounds like such a bad influence.

The surprise revelation that there is no Charles in the kindergarten class underscores the parents' obliviousness to Laurie's behavior. It serves as a wake-up call for them and the reader, highlighting the importance of parental involvement in a child's development. Jackson's story suggests that without proper guidance and attention, children like Laurie may continue to act out, creating imaginary scapegoats to deflect responsibility for their actions.