At first glance, the opening of “Apollo” seems unrelated to the central plotline: Okenwa’s budding infatuation with and eventual betrayal of Raphael. However, these first few paragraphs are crucial to the story’s overall impact. Not only do they provide important context and foreshadowing for what is revealed later, but they also subtly lay the groundwork for two of the story’s major themes: The Different Forms of Guilt and Perception, Transformation, and Loss of Innocence.

In the opening line, Okenwa says that he visits his parents twice a month “like a dutiful son” (1), framing the act as an obligation. This seemingly insignificant comment is important for two reasons. First, it suggests the sort of relationship Okenwa has with his parents. They expect him to play a certain role—in this case, “the dutiful son”—and he does his best to conform. Second, it establishes a key aspect of Okenwa’s character: his deep-seated sense of guilt. He confesses that he probably would not visit his parents so much if he didn’t feel he must “make amends” for never marrying and starting a family—a remark that also foreshadows that Okenwa is gay.