Whether the ultimate effect of the influence is negative or positive, it is obvious that Charlie is very strongly affected by Aunt Helen's presence in his life, both before and after her death.

On one hand, it is evident to the reader that Charlie regards his aunt strongly and often more favorably than the rest of his family. This is evidenced by the fact that he divulges secrets about his life to her grave, as well as the fact that within the narrative, she is the only family member to be given a name. Charlie remembers his aunt as a woman suffering from trauma from abuse and feels sorry for her. To an extent, he even feels responsible for her death, as she was getting him a birthday gift when she died in a car accident.

However, Charlie begins slowly to uncover repressed memories that are revealed in fragmented flashbacks, first when experimenting with psychedelic drugs, and next when he begins to connect sexually with Sam. He finally comes to the realization that his aunt had been molesting him, simply passing on the trauma that had been inflicted on her. He realizes that his kind image of her was simply the facade of an abuser. Though these realizations are extraordinarily painful, they help him move forward and become a more complete human being, finally ready to "participate" in life.